The Miami Dolphins’ five-game audition of quarterback Malik Willis has not eased the franchise’s long-term uncertainty at the position. Locked On Dolphins host Kyle Crabbs placed quarterback atop the club’s primary-needs list Monday, arguing that Willis has left too many controllable plays unfulfilled to close the door on an eventual upgrade.
Crabbs stressed he is not basing his evaluation solely on Willis’ statistics. He instead focused on decisions and execution that fall within the quarterback’s control, including protecting the football in the pocket, taking available underneath completions and avoiding unnecessarily difficult throws when easier options are available.
The assessment matters because Miami has 12 games left to determine whether Willis can become a dependable answer rather than simply a bridge. Crabbs said he would not force an early draft pick at quarterback solely because of the current uncertainty, particularly if the available class does not provide a prospect the Dolphins value highly enough. But he also said Willis’ early performance has not removed the need to keep evaluating alternatives.
Willis can change that conversation by showing cleaner command of the offense over the rest of the season. Crabbs pointed to the need for faster decisions, better ball security, and a more consistent ability to capitalize when the structure of a play gives him an accessible completion. Those improvements would carry more weight in Miami’s evaluation than a single productive statistical afternoon.
That leaves the Dolphins with a consequential stretch run: Willis has time to turn a primary offseason need into a longer-term solution, but the evaluation has not reached that point yet.
Dolphins News and Notes
– Wide receiver Chris Bell remains part of Miami’s unsettled receiver picture. Crabbs described Bell’s play as volatile and suggested the rookie may be better suited for slot usage, where he could receive freer releases and more space at the catch point.
– Right tackle Austin Jackson is also keeping an offensive need on the board. Crabbs’ internal grading placed Jackson among the team’s lowest-scoring high-volume players, leaving the Dolphins to evaluate both his contract-year finish and the depth behind him.
Miami Dolphins Essentials
- 5 Best Dolphins Quarterbacks of All Time
- 5 Best Running Backs in Dolphins History
- 5 Greatest Dolphins Wide Receivers Ever
- NFL’s Richest Owners: What Is Stephen Ross’ Net Worth?
Some or all of this content may have been generated by AI. While we strive for accuracy, AI can occasionally produce incorrect information. If you buy something via one of our links, we may earn a commission.
