With defensive finish Emmanuel Ogbah re-signing with the Miami Dolphins, the important element of the staff’s defensive entrance that was probably in flux this offseason was as a substitute solidified.
The Dolphins, like they’re set to do within the secondary, are returning their defensive linemen from a protection that anchored the staff’s midseason turnaround to rebound from 1-7 with eight wins of their final 9 video games of 2021.
The defensive entrance returns its sack chief in Ogbah (9). Versatile defensive lineman Christian Wilkins is again after a breakthrough third NFL season in 2021, as are defensive deal with Zach Sieler and nostril deal with Raekwon Davis. Outside linebacker Jaelan Phillips, getting into his second season, can also flip between standing up and placing his hand within the floor, which is what he did greatest on the University of Miami in 2020 to make him a first-round choose.
While nearly set with a rotation up entrance that may also incorporate Adam Butler, the Dolphins might determine to presumably add one other defensive lineman on Day 3 of the draft, particularly given the necessity for an additional move rusher. Miami’s first choose, after buying and selling away first- and second-round picks within the upcoming draft, is on the finish of the third spherical, whereas it additionally has a fourth-round choose and two seventh-rounders to make use of.
Ogbah’s four-year, $65 million deal was struck within the ultimate minutes main as much as free-agent negotiations with different groups opening up on March 14. In an offseason the place the Dolphins additionally traded for star receiver Tyreek Hill and signed prized free-agent deal with Terron Armstead, it’s a transfer that will go down because the staff’s most underrated.
Beyond Ogbah’s sheer move rush, amassing 9 sacks every of his two seasons in Miami, he has discovered methods to impression the opposition’s passing sport in varied methods. More usually, he’s simply lacking a sack and hitting a quarterback anyway — posting 45 quarterback hits prior to now two seasons mixed — and he truly led NFL defensive linemen in passes defensed in 2021, with 12.
Wilkins was tied for the NFL lead in tackles amongst defensive linemen final season as he made a major leap in his third skilled season after being a 2019 first-round select of Clemson.
Sieler, a former Baltimore Ravens seventh-round choose who has excelled in Miami since he was picked up off on waivers on the finish of the 2019 season, had one other productive season in 2021. He had 62 tackles, six for loss, and two sacks, taking part in practically half of the Dolphins’ defensive snaps.
Davis, the massive 6-7, 330-pound physique inside, was uneven at occasions final yr in his second marketing campaign, however his return from lacking three weeks after an opening-series knee harm in Week 1 gave the Dolphins’ run protection a serious enhance. Davis completed with 28 tackles and half a sack.
Butler got here to Miami after being identified in New England as a 295-pound lineman with pass-rushing capability, however he solely contributed two sacks final yr as a rotational participant. He had 10 the earlier two years mixed with the Patriots.
Jenkins returns a veteran presence that may present depth on the nostril together with his 335-pound body. He collected 16 tackles in seven video games in 2021 however was inactive for greater than half the season.
The Dolphins even have defensive finish Daeshon Hall and defensive deal with Benito Jones as gamers who can compete for a roster spot in coaching camp. Jones was simply re-signed.
Previously addressed
Dolphins giving Tua Tagovailoa instruments to succeed heading into Year 3
Dolphins’ new-look backfield ought to profit from Mike McDaniel’s run sport
Dolphins have improved offensive line, however are nonetheless a chunk or two away up entrance
Dolphins returning final yr’s tight ends, however use of the unit might change in new offense
Dolphins stuffed offseason receiver want with pace; are they executed on the place?
Dolphins opted for continuity at linebacker, however might one other pickup be in play?
Dolphins secondary figures to be one in every of NFL’s greatest in 2022
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Source: www.bostonherald.com