Mike Florio· Aug 15, 2026
Florio says that despite the Dolphins' difficult cap situation, the foundation Malik Willis showed in the preseason opener gives Miami a chance to surprise people as early as this season.
“But the signs are there of a new foundation that will give the Dolphins a chance to surprise people, as soon as this season.”
published in writing · NBC Sports · read the original →
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- Surprise Team CallsMiami DolphinsAug 15, 2026
Miami Dolphins to beat expectations
“But the signs are there of a new foundation that will give the Dolphins a chance to surprise people, as soon as this season.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
What others said about the same people
- Nathan JahnkeDepth Chart Calls · Jalen TolbertMiss · 0PFF's preseason fantasy recap makes a large number of depth-chart, role and fantasy-value calls across the league, including Chig Okonkwo as a top sleeper tight end, Tre Tucker as the Raiders' top receiver, and various backfield hierarchies.
- Nathan JahnkeDepth Chart Calls · Jalen TolbertMiss · 0PFF's fantasy football preseason recap projects depth-chart outcomes, roster spots and fantasy value for numerous players across several preseason games, including Chig Okonkwo's expanded role in Washington, Ja'Kobi Lane as Baltimore's WR3, Malachi Fields winning the Giants' starting X job, and Zachariah Branch being a fantasy bust relative to his late-round cost.
- Chad MillmanGame Outcome Picks · Miami DolphinsMiss · 0Chad Millman said he had taken money-line positions on several Week 1 underdogs — the Texans outright over the Bills, the Giants outright over Dallas (in a money-line underdog parlay), and Miami outright at Las Vegas — and that the show's survivor pick was the Steelers to win.
- Alain PoupartScore Predictions · Miami DolphinsMiss · 24Poupart predicts the Dolphins upset the Raiders in Week 1 in Las Vegas, 27-24, and also expects Miami to win few games overall in 2026.
- Chad MillmanGame Outcome Picks · Miami DolphinsMiss · 0Millman backed several week one sides outright: Miami to beat the Raiders straight up, the Jets over the Titans, an underdog money line parlay of Houston and the Giants, and a favorites money line parlay of Pittsburgh, Philadelphia and Detroit. He also stands by his preseason take that Drake Maye is a top-five NFL quarterback.
- Conor OrrGame Outcome Picks · Miami DolphinsMiss · 0Orr's Week 1 straight-up picks, including several upsets (Patriots, Buccaneers, Browns, Dolphins, Commanders, Broncos).
More surprise team calls
The same kind of call, about other players and teams.
- Pete PriscoSurprise Team Calls · Arizona CardinalsPendingAn unsigned Week 2 NFL power rankings column places the Seahawks first and the Dolphins last, with the 49ers rising six spots after beating the Rams and the Cowboys falling 12 after losing to the Giants. It also suggests the Cardinals and Jets could be better than expected.
- Rich EisenSurprise Team Calls · New Orleans SaintsPendingEisen accepted that the Giants can be the best team in the NFC East (while pumping the brakes on NFC contender talk), restated his preseason Josh Allen MVP pick, insisted the Rams are too talented to miss the playoffs, and put his marker on the Saints as the NFC South team that can beat expectations.
- Steve HartmanSurprise Team Calls · Cincinnati BengalsPendingHartman picked the Rams and Bills to meet in the Super Bowl with the Rams winning, named the Bengals as his surprise team with Joe Burrow winning MVP and Cincinnati winning its division and reaching the AFC Championship Game against Buffalo.
- Fox SportsSurprise Team Calls · New Orleans SaintsPendingRelaying anonymous NFL executives and scouts, the piece names Saints QB Tyler Shough as this season's breakout star whose numbers could pop, suggests New Orleans could surprise people in a weak division, and says Bears youngsters Luther Burden III and Colston Loveland will become elite — with Burden taking over as Chicago's No. 1 receiver ahead of Rome Odunze.
- Bill CowherSurprise Team Calls · Pittsburgh SteelersPendingCowher said the Steelers are flying under the radar entering the season and will have a better identity, framing them as a team that beats expectations.
- JJ WattSurprise Team Calls · Jacksonville JaguarsPendingWatt gave Seattle's defensive front the edge over New England's, said the Jaguars remain underrated and under-discussed, and described USC product Lloyd as the Packers' bell-cow starting back.