Miami Dolphins takeaways: Good day for Malik Willis, Green Bay imports
Malik Willis made his Miami Dolphins debut vs. the Washington Commanders on a good night for Miami's three big imports from the Packers organization.
The Miami Dolphins showcased a positive debut against the Washington Commanders, with rookie Malik Willis delivering a strong performance in his first NFL start. Willis connected with first-round pick Caleb Douglas on a one-handed 28-yard catch and completed four of five passes for 43 yards, leading the Dolphins to a 7-0 lead. Quarterback Malik Willis, who played only a series, demonstrated his mobility and leadership by drawing a horse-collar penalty and connecting with receivers Malik Washington and Caleb Douglas.
New coach Jeff Hafley remained composed despite the Dolphins' initial penalty on the opening kickoff. Offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik's aggressive approach saw the offensive line dominate, setting up De Von Achane's touchdown run. GM Jon-Eric Sullivan, a recent addition from Green Bay, proved his worth with promising rookies Kadyn Proctor, Jacob Rodriguez and De'Von Achane successfully making their NFL debuts.
However, backup quarterback Quinn Ewers experienced a rough debut, throwing an interception. The Commanders, while not dominant, posed a challenge, as Bradley Pinion failed to draw a penalty on a punt and Tutu Atwell returned one for a significant gain. The Dolphins' next preseason game is against the New York Giants on August 22, with the season finale on August 28 against Atlanta.
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