Who should I start in fantasy football from the Chargers vs. Dolphins game?
Justin Herbert vs. Tua Tagovailoa. Jim Harbaugh vs. Mike McDaniel. Darren Waller vs. Derwin James.
The Miami Dolphins and the Los Angeles Chargers certainly have their fair share of noteworthy matchups.
How many will be relevant from a fantasy perspective, however, remains to be seen. That’s exactly what I’m here for so let’s dive in:
START:
Chargers RB Hassan Haskins
Last week, I made the mistake of having Carolina Panthers tailback Rico Dowdle in the “Wait & See” portion.
He proceeded to have the game of his life with more than 200 yards of total offense.
In my defense, I did not think that the Dolphins run defense was as bad as it actually is. That said, I won’t make the same mistake twice. Definitely start Haskins against this wayward Dolphins defense.
Dolphins RB De’Von Achane
Achane has officially reached “start him and forget it” status.
Just look at the insane touchdown catch that he had against the Panthers. Few receivers, let alone tailbacks, can embarrass a defender like that.
The third-year tailback should just be considered a lineup lock going forward.
Dolphins WR Jaylen Waddle
If last week showed you anything, it should be that Waddle’s chemistry with his former Alabama teammate Tua Tagovailoa remains strong.
More than that, Tagovailoa will look for Waddle early and often – especially if the Dolphins need a deep shot. And while the Chargers have limited opposing receivers to the fourth-least fantasy points, per ESPN, it could be argued that they haven’t faced a wideout as good as Waddle. The best receiver that the Chargers faced was the Denver Broncos’ Courtland Sutton, who caught six balls for 118 yards and a touchdown.
SIT:
Dolphins WR Malik Washington
There was hope that Tyreek Hill’s injury could lead to more targets for Washington.
The second-year receiver did have an improved connection with Tagovailoa, after all.
That, however, might not be the case. Washington certainly was involved in the offense – his five targets were tied for third along side Waller – yet he ended the game with a donut in terms of yardage as the Panthers clamped down on the screens that the Dolphins love to throw.
This might not always be the case. Washington could see an increase in action as he did turn his five targets into four catches. It’s just that he just wasn’t a threat down the field, something that needs to change for him to be relevant in fantasy.
WAIT & SEE:
Chargers WRs
The Chargers have one of the best receiver trios in the league.
You got Quentin Johnston, the 2023 first-round pick who has exploded as Herbert’s deep threat in 2025. You got Keenan Allen, the veteran route-running specialist whose return to the Chargers after two years with the Chicago Bears has been a boon for the offense. And you got Ladd McConkey, one of the best slot receivers in the league who posted an 1,000-yard season as a rookie in 2024.
The only issue: offensive line injuries have led to a somewhat unpredictable distribution.
Johnston leads all receivers in yards in touchdowns but comes second to Allen in targets and catches. McConkey, Herbert’s go-to wideout in 2024, ranks third in receptions, yards and caught just his first touchdown last week against the Washington Commanders.
Someone – or all three – has the potential to go off against the Dolphins’ secondary. The ultimate determinate will be whether Johnston, whose injured hamstring led to a questionable designation for Sunday’s game, can suit up.
