The disrespect toward the Miami Dolphins just reached another level, and honestly, Dolphins fans are absolutely furious after the latest projections released by ESPN. What was supposed to be a normal preseason prediction article has now turned into one of the most controversial conversations surrounding Miami heading into 2026 — because according to ESPN’s model, the Dolphins are apparently one of the worst teams in football by a massive margin.

And honestly?

Some of these projections feel completely unbelievable.

According to the discussion, ESPN projected Miami to finish with only around two-and-a-half wins this season while also ranking the Dolphins offense dead last in the NFL and the defense dead last as well. In other words, ESPN essentially labeled Miami as the worst overall team in football entering 2026.

That immediately sent fans into panic mode.

Not because anyone realistically expects Miami to become a Super Bowl contender this year, but because the level of negativity surrounding the projections feels extreme even by rebuilding-team standards. According to the discussion, the biggest frustration is not necessarily that the Dolphins are being projected to struggle — it is that ESPN appears to believe Miami is bad at literally everything.

And honestly?

That is where many fans believe the analysis completely falls apart.

Because while there are obvious concerns surrounding the roster, calling Miami the NFL’s worst offense feels incredibly harsh. The Dolphins still have De’Von Achane, a player many consider one of the most explosive running backs in football. The offensive line has quietly added size and physicality, and there is growing intrigue around the younger wide receiver group developing around Malik Willis.

The defense?

Sure, there are real questions there.

The pass rush remains inconsistent. The safety room still feels unstable. But even then, many fans argue there is no realistic universe where Miami should rank dead last on both sides of the ball simultaneously.

According to the breakdown, ESPN gave Miami incredibly low positional grades across the roster. Quarterback received a four out of ten, wide receiver a three, tight end a four, and the overall offense was treated almost like a complete disaster. But the most controversial grades involved the running backs and linebackers.

Because honestly?

Dolphins fans cannot understand how a team featuring De’Von Achane receives only a seven at running back.

Achane is already viewed by many as a top-five running back talent because of his explosiveness both as a runner and receiver. Miami also still has intriguing complementary backs like Jaylen Wright and Ali Gordon behind him. According to the discussion, many fans believe the running back room should realistically grade closer to an eight or nine.

The linebacker grade caused even more confusion.

Despite having Jordan Brooks — an All-Pro level player — plus multiple rookies already receiving praise across the league, ESPN still graded Miami’s linebacker unit only slightly above average. According to the discussion, some inside the fan base genuinely believe this could become one of the best linebacker groups in football if the younger players develop quickly.

But honestly, the part that truly pushed fans over the edge involved ESPN’s game-by-game win probabilities.

Because the projections become absolutely brutal.

According to the discussion, Miami was not given even a 35% chance to win ANY game on the schedule. Not one.

That includes only a 27% chance to beat the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 1 and an absurdly low 20% chance to beat the New York Jets on the road later in the season. ESPN even projected only a 15% chance for Miami to beat the New England Patriots at home.

And honestly?

That is the point where many fans stopped taking the projections seriously.

Because while Miami clearly faces one of the NFL’s hardest schedules, the idea that the Dolphins are massive underdogs virtually every single week feels more emotional than analytical. According to the discussion, many fans believe ESPN analyst Mike Clay may simply be far lower on Miami than the actual roster deserves.

Still, there were a few projections fans actually agreed with.

The projected numbers for Malik Willis, for example, felt relatively realistic. ESPN projected Willis to throw for roughly 3,500 yards with 13 touchdowns and 11 interceptions while adding over 500 rushing yards on the ground.

And honestly?

Those numbers tell a very dangerous story for Miami.

Because if Willis truly finishes with only 13 touchdown passes while the team wins two or three games, the Dolphins may find themselves sitting at the top of the 2027 NFL Draft board searching desperately for another franchise quarterback. According to the discussion, names like Arch Manning, Darien Mensah, CJ Carr, and Dante Moore are already quietly entering conversations about Miami’s long-term future if the season completely collapses.

Meanwhile, ESPN’s projections for De’Von Achane actually generated excitement.

The model predicted around 1,300 rushing yards, another 500 receiving yards, 66 catches, and eight total touchdowns for Miami’s star running back. According to the discussion, many fans believe Achane could become one of the biggest winners from Miami’s offseason changes after the organization doubled down on improving physicality along the offensive line.

There was also optimism surrounding some of the younger receiving options.

ESPN projected rookie receivers Chris Bell and Caleb Douglas for nearly identical production totals, while tight end Greg Dulcich was projected for nearly 50 catches after flashing late last season.

But honestly?

The defensive projections may have caused the most confusion of all.

According to the discussion, ESPN projected Robert Beal Jr. to receive more snaps than rookie Trey Moore — something many fans immediately dismissed as unrealistic given Miami’s current roster construction and Jeff Hafley’s defensive plans.

The same criticism applied to projections involving the safety room and defensive rotations overall. According to the discussion, many Dolphins fans believe the projections revealed a lack of familiarity with how Miami actually plans to structure the defense entering 2026.

And honestly?

That may be the biggest reason these projections created so much backlash.

Because Dolphins fans can handle negativity.

They can handle rebuilding expectations.

They can even handle predictions of a losing season.

But what they cannot accept is the feeling that national analysts are dismissing the entire roster without truly understanding what Miami is trying to build under Jeff Hafley.

That is why the emotional reaction surrounding these projections feels so intense right now.

Because according to ESPN, the Miami Dolphins are not just struggling.

They are supposedly one of the worst teams in modern football before the season has even started.