Malik Willis: Everything you need to know

Dolphins head coach Jeff Halfley said Tuesday at the start of mandatory minicamp that Willis building a rapport with his new pass-catching corps is "a work in progress," David Furones of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports. When Willis signed his three-year, $67.5 million deal in March, Miami still had an established No. 1 receiver in Jaylen Waddle, who has since been traded to Denver. As a result, the Dolphins now enter the summer with a far less proven receiving corps headlined by Malik Washington, Jalen Tolbert, Tutu Atwell and TE Greg Dulcich, while rookies Caleb Douglas (undisclosed), Chris Bell (ACL) and Kevin Coleman continue to compete for roles. Another factor in Willis' uneven start to OTAs and minicamp has been the absence of De'Von Achane (shoulder), arguably Miami's most dynamic pass catcher, who has been limited to individual drills while recovering from an offseason procedure. OC Bobby Slowik suggested Thursday developing chemistry with the team's receivers will "probably be an ongoing process all the way up to the regular-season start." Much of Willis' fantasy appeal stems from his dual-threat ability, but it would still be encouraging to see the passing game gain traction once training camp begins in July.

Willis agreed to terms on a three-year, $67.5 million contract with the Dolphins on Monday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. Willis will reunite with a pair of familiar faces from his time in Green Bay as he heads to Miami in the form of new Dolphins head coach Jeff Hafley and new general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan. Willis' signing coincides with the announced impending release of Tua Tagovialoa as a post june-1 cut, signaling the start of a new era at quarterback for the Dolphins. Across 11 combined regular-season appearances (three starts) in Green Bay over the last two years, Willis completed an impressive 78 percent of his pass attempts for 972 yards, six touchdowns and zero interceptions, in addition to 42 carries for 261 yards and three scores. While the Dolphins still need to provide Willis with reliable playmakers beyond wideout Jaylen Waddle (ribs) and running back De'Von Achane, the quarterback's dynamic athleticism and dual-threat abilities signal potential elite fantasy upside if things break right in his new landing spot.

Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst said Wednesday that the team expects Willis to depart in free agency and land with a team that will allow him to compete, at a minimum, for a starting job, Matt Schneidman of The Athletic reports. Willis will become an unrestricted free agent in March due to the expiration of his rookie contract. Given how well he played in relief of Jordan Love across his two seasons with the Packers, all expectations are that the 2022 third-round pick will be highly sought by quarterback-needy teams. Across 11 combined regular-season appearances between 2024 and 2025, Willis completed 70 of 89 pass attempts (78 percent) for 972 yards, six touchdowns and zero interceptions. He also rushed 42 times for 261 yards and another three scores. Despite Willis' success and development in coach Matt LaFleur's offense, he will likely pursue greater opportunities with another franchise. As such, Willis stands as a high-upside, under-the-radar trade target, specially in dynasty fantasy formats and those that allow multiple starting quarterbacks.