Miami’s 2025 arc is a pivot from win-now to youth-driven development, but the two Lions practices exposed a mixed bag. The Dolphins’ front seven looks like a true strength—Zach Sieler, Jaelan Phillips, Bradley Chubb and Chop Robinson are delivering punch, with Jordyn Brooks and Tyrel Dodson spiking run fits and pass coverage. Yet the offense still feels one dimensional in some red-zone looks, with Alexander Mattison’s neck injury thinning the power run game and De’Von Achane feeling the squeeze of inside runs that demand that power. Tua Tagovailoa’s continued growth remains a sticking point, and depth across the OL, backups and the corner rotation adds plausible wobbles. Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle remain the spark, but the 12-game streak without a 100-yard game against playoff foes lingers as a fantasy caution flag. The Dolphins open Sept 7 at Indy, and the test over the next three weeks will reveal if youth can grow into playoff resilience and a real chance at a deeper postseason run.

In this window, the Lions project as a playoff-caliber foil, highlighting a tough, physical path for Miami. If the run game can stabilize behind Achane with safer back-ups and if Kohou’s knee holds, Miami’s ceiling rises toward a more balanced attack and a more reliable fantasy profile across receivers who can soak up targets. The coaching staff’s philosophy shift toward youth could finally unlock upside from players like De’Von Achane and Ollie Gordon II, but it will require better depth at backup OL and QB beyond Zach Wilson to avoid late-season stalls. Fantasy managers should lean into Hill and Waddle as steady high-end options while monitoring Mattison’s replacement plan and Kohou’s health for shifts in pass coverage and run defense.

The Miami Dolphins face a significant setback with the loss of starting cornerback Kader Kohou for the entire season due to a knee injury sustained during practice. Head coach Mike McDaniel confirmed that Kohou will be placed on injured reserve, further straining the Dolphins' defensive lineup as they attempt to boost their performance amid fierce competition in the league.

Kohou, who has been a crucial asset to the Dolphins' secondary, will be missed not only for his skills on the field but also for the depth he brought to the defensive unit. The Dolphins' coaching staff now must strategize around this absence and possibly rely on younger, less experienced players stepping into key roles.