Miami Dolphins Defensive Line

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.

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