Quarterback Malik Willis faked a handoff to tailback De’Von Achane, then scrambled up the gut of Miami’s defense to score a 7-yard touchdown as Trick Daddy’s rap classic “Take it to Da House” played in the background of Friday’s training camp practice.
As the song continued to play during the Miami Dolphins’ first red zone day period, Willis threw a 7-yard touch pass to rookie receiver Caleb Douglas, finding him in the back left corner of the end zone for a one-handed grab. That was Willis’ second touchdown throw of the series since he previously connected on a 10-yard touchdown pass to tight end Ben Sims.
On those three plays Willis showcased the two reasons – his strong arm and impressive mobility – the Dolphins guaranteed him $45 million over the next two years, and anointed the former Liberty standout the team’s starting quarterback job heading into the 2026 season.
It was his best performance of training camp’s first week, but was far from flawless considering Willis did throw an interception on his next series, and was sacked by defensive end Zach Sieler on an end-of-game situation on third-and-goal from the 6-yard line.
Willis, who spent his first four seasons in the NFL as a backup in Tennessee and Green Bay, didn’t have the most impressive first week. But it’s good to see him come alive on red zone day, which is critical for football teams because touchdowns, not field goals, are what generally produce victories in football.
Top Plays/Performers
Rookie receiver Caleb Douglas had three receptions, including a one-handed touchdown grab in the back left corner of the end zone, and wrapped up a strong first week…Cornerback Ethan Robinson pulled down an interception on a pass thrown by rookie quarterback Mark Gronowski, and cornerback Alex Austin intercepted a Malik Willis pass intended for tight end Will Kacmerek in the end zone. Those two interceptions brought the defense’s first week turnover total to nine for three practices…. Tailback Donovan Edwards had a rushing touchdown on a play where Tahj Washington sealed a block off a blitzing cornerback. Edwards and Carlos Washington Jr. have had solid first weeks of training camp.
Stock Up
It’s difficult to evaluate trench players until the pads get put on, which will be Monday, but Sieler closed out Friday’s practice by producing a would-be sack of Willis in a third-and-goal situation from the 6-yard line, where whatever unit won that snap left the day with the victory. Sieler bullied first-round pick Kadyn Proctor into the quarterback’s pocket and hunted down Willis as he scrambled to by time. It was the type of defensive play elite players make.
Stock Down
The Dolphins offensive line had a ton of success running behind the right guards on Friday, and there was one instance where Jonah Savaiinaea put Kenneth Grant on the Metrorial and took him for a ride. Grant, the Dolphins’ 2025 first-round pick, needs to redeem himself when the pads come on next week because he had a quiet first week. At this point he might be the least impactful of the three defensive tackles – Grant, Jordan Phillips and Zeek Biggers – drafted last year.
What They Said
“Covering for three seconds is hard already. Imagine having to cover for six seconds,” Dolphin safety Dante Trader Jr. said when asked about Willis’ mobility, which was on display Friday when he scrambled for a touchdown during Miami’s red zone 11-on-11 work. “You got to know where he is, and you have to know the scheme of the call.”
