Dolphins' 2026 Survival Depends on These 4 | NFL News

0:00It's September 7th. You're listening to NFL News today, AI-powered football coverage. I'm Cori with the story. Alright, let's talk about the Miami Dolphins. This year is looking like a real test for them. They've got one of the thinnest rosters in the league, and on top of that, they're staring down the barrel of the second hardest schedule, based on, last year's records. Projections are all over the place, some saying that when as few as three games, others may be five. But hey, you never know when a team might surprise you, especially with Jeff Halfley stepping in as head coach for his first season. Now, if the Dolphins are going to have any shot at success in 2026, there are a few key guys they absolutely cannot afford to lose to injury. First up, running back Devon Ashan. This dude has been a workhorse since being drafted in 2023, racking up over 3,000 rushing yards and 22 touchdowns, plus another. 1200 receiving yards and 13 scores. He's expected to be the engine of the offense this year, and honestly, looking at the depth behind him, if Ashan A goes down, the ground game is in.

1:07Serious trouble. Then there's quarterback Malik Willis. He just signed a pretty hefty deal to take over the starting job. While his past performance has been a bit of a mixed bag, he plays the most crucial position on the field. Simply put, Miami needs him out there and healthy if they want to compete. Losing your starting quarterback is tough for any team. Before a team with the challenges the Dolphins are facing, it's almost unthinkable. Moving to the offensive line, Wright Tackle Austin Jackson is another name that comes up. We saw some shaky performances from the back of tackles during training camp and preseason. Jackson himself has had his injury issues since being a first round pick back in 2020, and he's only played more than 8 games in 3 of his 6. Seasons. Keeping him upright is going to be vital for protecting Willis and keeping the offense moving. Finally, we have rookie cornerback, Chris Johnson. Despite being new to the league, he's stepping in as Miami's top corner for 2026. He had a standout college career, earning all mountain west and all American honors.

2:09Now he's tasked with covering the league's best wide receivers right out of the gate. His development and availability are going to be huge for their defense.