Malik Willis Week 1 Outlook - Dolphins at Raiders

By Derek Brown (FantasyPros), Sun, Sep 13th 2026, 12:44pm EDT

I can't wait to see Malik Willis in his first start for the Dolphins. I know the starting resume for Willis is limited. I get it. What we have seen in limited doses over the last two years has been outstanding, though. Over the last two seasons, Willis has posted a 5.6% big-time throw rate (118 dropbacks, per PFF), 10.9 yards per attempt, and averaged 44.8 rushing yards per game. Last year, among all quarterbacks with at least 110 dropbacks, that big-time throw rate would have ranked eighth-best behind Caleb Williams, and his yards per attempt mark would have led the NFL. That rushing yardage mark per game over the last three years would have ranked first, fourth, and third among quarterbacks. Willis is facing a remade Raiders' defense that added Quay Walker, Kwity Paye, Nakobe Dean, and Taron Johnson (just to name a few). Last year, the Raiders allowed the tenth-highest passer rating, the ninth-highest passing success rate, and the tenth-highest EPA per dropback. I don't know if the Raiders' pass defense will be that much of a pushover in 2026, but I also don't know if they hit the ground running immediately out of the gate. Willis' rushing ability gives him an incredibly high ceiling and floor for Week 1.