Defensive Tackle is a tough spot for the 2017 Dolphins – close to being filled, but not close enough.
Dolphins Defensive Tackle Phillips could make the unit whole…then again, he could not.
The Miami Dolphins greatest area of improvement in 2017 must be in stopping their opponent’s running game.
Miami’s run defense has been a huge problem for the last two seasons. And in 2015, it sank to new lows as the 30th ranked rush defense, allowing an average of 140.4 yards per game with 4.8 yards per attempt.
Can you say terrrribblle!
We all know Miami needs to add two more talented linebackers, which would certainly improve the run defense.
However, the run defense starts with the defensive line.
Miami needs to find a starter next to Suh and a back-up behind them.
Earl Mitchell battled injuries last season and might not be resigned next year as his sticker price is high at 4 million and isn’t commensurate with his injury-riddled production.
Jordan Phillips played very well and also disappeared. So much talent, but you can’t build around potential. Phillips is still on his Rookie contract, so there is no reason to let him go, but you can’t base a whole season around his play. At worst, he’s a good and cheap back-up.
Miami still needs a certain starter who is talented and consistent to start in the likely case that Phillips once again has an inconsistent season.
Or I guess, they could go with a pay per head bookie service and roll the dice on Phillips.
The quandary is can they afford to spend a high draft pick or big bucks on the DT spot, given all Miami’s other needs? And as the Devil’s Advocate would say, can you afford not to and have another season wasted because the defense is a doormat?
Defensive Tackle is the foundation of a defense.
The top of the list in regards to FA DT’s would be former Carolina Panther DT Kawann Short. Short has played in the league for the past 4 years, and he has not missed a game. He has tallied 180 tackles, 22 sacks, 6 forced fumbles and 5 fumble recoveries. Considering that Short is a DT, these numbers are very impressive, especially the sack numbers. Last season, he had 17 QB hurries and was one of the top run defenders in the league. Pro Football Focus ranks him as one of the top 5 run defenders in the NFL.
But, can you say HUGE contract! His price might be prohibitive if the Fins want to retain cap responsible.
Guys like Nick Fairley and Brandon Williams would be talented second tier guys, but each has his short comings and would cost a big chunk of change. They could always go down the ladder in price and talent for a stop gap, but there isn’t much certainty that Miami’s issues with the interior line would be resolved.
The 2017 NFL Draft has most of the top DT talent coming from 3-4 schemes and that, as well as being a rookie, would off uncertainty about their production on the NFL level. Also, as with most young DT’s, they need a few years to build their strength to handle vets with ‘man power’. Likely a young DT wouldn’t offer much help this year.
So, despite all Miami’s other off season issues, the interior line will likely be one of the tougher challenges facing the Mike Tannebaum and Chris Grier. But, if you build a palace on a bad foundation, no matter how pretty it looks, it won’t last long. So they’d better get it right if they want to succeed in 2017. Go Fins!!!