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The Miami Dolphins’ overall stock remains down at 0-5, but the 31-24 loss to Cincinnati produced enough individual progress to make the bye week more than a pause in a lost start.
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Team stock: Down, but stabilizing.
Miami owns the NFL’s worst point differential at minus-62 and has not led at any point this season. The passing game ranks near the bottom of the league, and three Malik Willis turnovers helped Cincinnati control Sunday’s game. Still, the Dolphins scored a season-high 24 points, gained 331 yards and ran for 217. Those developments do not erase five losses, but they give the coaching staff a clearer plan.
Stock’s Up
Ollie Gordon II: Up. Gordon has rushed for 188 yards and two touchdowns in two starts since De’Von Achane’s knee injury. He averaged 4.9 yards on 18 carries against Cincinnati and now looks like Miami’s unquestioned lead runner.
Jacob Rodriguez: Up. The rookie linebacker followed an 18-tackle performance at Minnesota with 11 against the Bengals. He leads Miami with 57 tackles and is becoming one of the most dependable players on a young defense.
JuJu Brents: Up, health pending. Brents earned a 90.1 overall grade from Pro Football Focus against Cincinnati and broke up a pass before leaving with a stinger. His availability after the bye matters, but his play is trending in the right direction.
Kevin Coleman Jr.: Up. Coleman caught his first NFL touchdown and received seven targets. Miami needs receiver development, and the rookie showed he can earn meaningful work rather than specialty snaps.
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Stock’s Down
Malik Willis: Down. His 74 rushing yards displayed real playmaking ability, but two interceptions and a lost fumble outweighed the late touchdown drives. Willis has two touchdown passes and four interceptions this season. The bye must be used to simplify his reads and improve ball security.
Special teams: Down. An 81-yard return on the opening kickoff against Cincinnati created an immediate seven-point deficit. A missed extra point and failed onside kick added to a poor afternoon.
Pass rush: Down. Miami has only four sacks through five games, 31st in the league, and failed to sack Joe Burrow. That shortage exposes an inexperienced secondary.
The stock report is not completely bleak. Gordon, Rodriguez, Brents and Coleman look like pieces worth developing. But the team’s standing will not improve until progress at a few positions becomes cleaner quarterback play, better special teams and actual victories.
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This story was originally published October 14, 2026 at 8:44 PM.