The Miami Dolphins opened the Jeff Hafley era with a 20-7 loss Friday against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium in their preseason opener, although the result means absolutely nothing.

Here’s a deeper dive into what we learned from Hafley’s group in the 13-point loss.

1. Malik Willis Looked Comfortable

The Dolphins wanted to see what their new starting quarterback could do with the first-team offense, and Willis provided plenty of encouragement on the opening drive.

Willis finished 4-of-5 passing for 43 yards and ran for nine yards on two carries.

Willis showed off his mobility, made quick decisions and delivered several impressive throws, helping Miami march down the field for a touchdown.

The drive ended with running back De’Von Achane scoring on a 1-yard run.

Willis’ ability to extend plays with his legs was particularly noticeable. That element gives Hafley and offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik another dimension to build around as Miami transitions into a new offensive system.

2. De'Von Achane Remains Focal Point

It didn’t take long for Miami to show that Achane will remain one of its most important offensive players.

The Dolphins leaned on their star running back early, and he rewarded them by finding the end zone.

Miami also appeared committed to giving him a bigger role near the goal line, something worth monitoring throughout the preseason.

Achane finished the first drive with 39 yards on seven carries, averaging 5.6 yards per carry. He was done for the night after one drive.

There was no reason to keep Achane on the field for long, but his presence immediately made the offense look more explosive.

3. Caleb Douglas Continues to Shine

If there was one young receiver who continued his strong summer, it was Douglas.

The 2026 third-round pick made his presence felt early, making a tremendous one-handed grab on third-and-5 on a pass from Willis during Miami’s opening series. The play drew a defensive pass interference penalty, but Douglas’ ability to make a contested catch stood out.

Douglas’ emergence would be significant for a Dolphins receiving corps searching for new playmakers beyond Malik Washington.

4. Quinn Ewers and Cam Miller Were Rough

Ewers, who is expected to serve as Willis’ backup, had a rough night, going 1-for-8 passing with an interception.

Ewers’ performance shouldn’t be overanalyzed given that it’s only the preseason, but the Dolphins need to see more consistency from their young quarterback.

Ewers was eventually replaced by Cam Miller, who played at North Dakota State. Miller threw two interceptions in the fourth quarter, making the Dolphins’ backup quarterback play on Friday poor.

5. Defense Needs to Clean Up a Lot

Miami’s defense showed flashes but struggled to consistently get off the field as Washington scored 17 unanswered points in the second quarter.

Many starters and key contributors were no longer on the field, giving younger players and roster hopefuls valuable opportunities. Inside linebacker Jordyn Brooks, for example, did not play tonight.

Still, Hafley will want to see better tackling, communication, and consistency as the Dolphins move through the rest of the preseason.

Next

The Dolphins will return to Miami and continue preparing for their second preseason game, with another important stretch of practices ahead.

Miami is scheduled to hold a practice Tuesday, Aug. 18, at 9:30 a.m. at the Baptist Health Training Complex.

The Dolphins will then host the New York Giants for a joint practice Thursday, Aug. 20 at 9:30 a.m. at the Baptist Health Training Complex.

Two days later, the two teams will square off at Hard Rock Stadium for the Dolphins’ second preseason game, with kickoff slated for 4 p.m. ET.