The Miami Dolphins front office appears to have not made many alterations to its defensive line this season. The team’s defensive line was accountable for the league’s 10th best pass-rushing defense and 15th best run-stopping defense last season. Former Cal-Berkeley defensive tackle Austin Clark will enter his first season as the team’s defensive-line coach.
Third Time’s The Charm
Former first-round pick Christian Wilkins will enter his third year as a member of the Miami Dolphins. Had Wilkins played a full 16 games in 2020, he was on pace to hover around his rookie mark of 56 tackles and two sacks. While these aren’t the eye-popping stats you’d expect from a first-round pick, Wilkins plays his role well. As a defensive tackle in a 3-4 defense, many schemes simply call for Wilkins to shoot a specific gap and clog space for a linebacker to crash in and make the tackle. Expect Wilkins to continue to set the tone for this defensive with his high-motor and advanced football IQ.
Off-Season Bargain Paying Off
Emmanuel Ogbah’s signing with the Dolphins last off-season generated very little buzz at the time. After inking a deal for two years and five million, many didn’t think much of the signing. Ogbah is a formidable threat off the edge, cracking the top 20 in sacks while racking up 42 tackles last season. The former second-round pick will flourish after a full training camp, as he was returning from a knee injury last year.
No Longer A Rookie
After seeing action in all 16 games in 2020, second-round pick Raekwon Davis has earned himself a full-time starting role. Serving as the team’s nose tackle in the 3-4, the 6-foot-7, 320 pounder will likely require a great deal of double coverage. After tallying 40 tackles last year, the Dolphins hope to see Davis blossom as a pass rusher. The Alabama product has yet to record a sack in any of his 16 games (12 starts) as a Dolphin.
Wrap-Up
The Dolphins unique defensive strategy involves using its mobile, uber-athletic linebackers to make tackles from sideline to sideline. This requires a great deal of space, typically freed up by a solid defensive line. Miami’s defensive success in 2021 rides on the back of their D-Line.