Miami

Dolphins

Even with Jaylen Waddle (ribs) joining Tyreek Hill and Darren Waller on the shelf, Westbrook-Ikhine couldn’t command a look in what will probably end up his final game as a Dolphin. NWI is signed for $2.45 million in 2026, but is due no guaranteed money after catching just 11 passes all season. The former Titan turns 29 in March and is miles from dynasty league relevance.

Washington was the Dolphins’ No. 1 receiver with Jaylen Waddle resting his sore mid-section for the season finale, but the short-handed ‘Fins had a rough go of it with Quinn Ewers under center. A hyped 2024 Day 3 rookie, Washington didn’t do much his first year in the league but was more involved as a sophomore. At least it felt that way. Washington ultimately out-touched his rookie self “just” 58-31, but he was the Dolphins’ clear No. 2 wideout following Tyreek Hill’s season-ending leg injury. More of a gadget player than actual target commander, Washington would ideally be a No. 4 wideout, one without much of a long-term ceiling in dynasty leagues.

Gordon, again, played second fiddle to Jaylen Wright with De’Von Achane resting his shoulder for this “meaningless” Week 18 tilt. The No. 179 overall pick of the draft, Gordon began the season as the Dolphins’ No. 2 back with Wright nursing a leg injury, but Wright eventually re-took the role and never looked back. Gordon was highly inefficient behind the Dolphins’ much more efficient top-two backs. It doesn’t augur well heading into 2026, though Gordon is still only 22 (next week). He can remain rostered at the end of dynasty league benches.

With the Dolphins engaging in something of a “gentleman’s tank” and resting De’Von Achane, Wright received his first start of the season. He wasn’t going anywhere against the Patriots’ elite run defense, but it confirmed second-year pro Wright remains ahead of rookie Ollie Gordon II on the depth chart after the matter seemed up in the air mid-season. That could change with a full offseason and training camp for Gordon, while it doesn’t really matter who the No. 2 is behind Achane absent injury. Achane has proven surprisingly durable, making Wright a low-floor dynasty insurance back.

Promoted from the practice squad ahead of Week 8, 25-year-old Dulcich ended up posting his most yards (335) since his 2022 rookie season in Denver. He totaled 28 yards in 2023-24. He was a shockingly steady contributor, as well, catching at least three passes in four of his final five games as Darren Waller battled injury. Not a bad career revival, but also not enough to suggest Dulcich will really be back in the re-draft mix for 2026. We suppose he has at least put himself back on the dynasty league fringes. Dulcich turns 26 in March.

Ewers departed late with a “knee injury,” but he was healthy enough to not only attend his post-game press conference, but to do so standing up. That almost certainly means his departure was purely precautionary. Ewers’ arm strength left something to be desired during his three starts in place of Tua Tagovailoa, but he was probably a more effective option despite an injury-diminished supporting cast. That very much included on Sunday, where his “top weapon” was Malik Washington. At the very least, Ewers has cemented a spot on the Dolphins’ 2026 53-man roster. There’s a lot to sort out beyond that, namely the futures of Tagovailoa and coach Mike McDaniel, but there’s a non-zero percent chance Ewers is the Week 1 starter. We aren’t saying that’s a great idea, but it’s not a lead balloon, either. You will be hearing a lot more about this situation over the next 3-4 months.

Achane could have easily kept pushing through the “injury” if the Dolphins had “anything to play for,” but they have determined they do not with their playoff hopes long gone and fill-in rookie Quinn Ewers under center. Remarkably durable considering his size and workload — Achane took the rock 305 times this season — Achane will head into the final year of his rookie deal having missed one game in two years, today’s contest. The 24-year-old bounced back in the efficiency department in a big way this year despite the ‘Fins’ quarterback woes. Achane’s 5.7 yards per carry led the league heading into Week 18. Particularly if coach Mike McDaniel returns for 2026, Achane will remain a top-five fantasy back with room to ascend.

Seemingly always gutting through something or other, the Dolphins decided not to have Waddle play through his latest ailment with “nothing on the line.” There’s always something on the line when you’re a professional athlete, but we digress. Somehow already 27 years old, Waddle is heading into the final guaranteed year of his contract with back-to-back sub-1,000 yard seasons. That’s despite the fact that Tyreek Hill missed most of this year. Hill will probably be gone for 2026, but it’s unclear who will be under center following Tua Tagovailoa’s benching. We also don’t know if offensive maestro Mike McDaniel will be retained. Waddle’s offseason baseline should be mid-range WR2, with room to slide in either direction.

This really isn’t much of a surprise. Achane was listed as doubtful after missing all three practices this week. The Dolphins are out of the playoff hunt, so there’s no reason to play Achane through the shoulder issue. Jaylen Wright should handle the bulk of the backfield touches for Miami this week, putting him on the RB2/3 border for Week 18.

The same is true of De’Von Achane, who is listed as doubtful with a shoulder injury. Like most teams with nothing to play for in Week 18, the Dolphins are shutting their key players down this week. The Patriots shouldn’t have any issues versus Miami this week. A win gives them the No. 2 seed in the AFC. An unlikely Denver loss on top of a New England win would give the Pats the No. 1 seed.