One of the bright spots for the 2024 Miami Dolphins was their defense. With Defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver leading the defense for his second season at the position there are high expectations but also an area of concern in the secondary. With key departures from veterans on the defensive line and in the secondary there will be a major adjustment for young players to step up and make an immediate impact. During training camp and the preseason, Dolphin fans should pay very close attention to pass rushers and the cornerback room to see who can lead their respective groups. Below is a early preview:
Edge Rushers: Group With the Most Potential
Opposing Quarterbacks will question their life choices when they have Chop Robinson, Jaelan Phiilips, and Bradley Chubb chasing after them. Chop who came in fifth in Defensive Rookie of the Year voting behind Jared Verse (OLB) of the Rams and Braden Fiske (DE) had a very productive rookie campaign putting up 6 sacks, 14 QB hits, 8 tackles for loss, and 26 combined tackles has a lot of promise for the future. His speed and strength is dangerous and expectations for him this season are high.
Both Jalen Phillips and Bradley Chubb unfortunately have experienced season-ending injuries in the pas two seasons that have sidelined them. This is a contract year for Jaelen Phillips, the former first round pick in 2021, as he partially tore his ACL in 2024 and tore his Achilles in 2023. He must produce and stay healthy this season. Bradley Chubb has not played in a football game since December 31, 2023, after tearing his ACL.
Mohamed Kamara was drafted in 2024 in the 5th round where he came out of Colorado State. He only appeared in five games and did not produce much. Quinton Bell signed a one-year deal with the team over the offseason and will return along with Cameron Goode who tore his patellar Tendon in 2023 and Grayson Murphy. Both Goode and Murphy might see themselves on the practice squad.
Prediction:
- 53-man: Chop Robinson, Jaelen Phillips, Bradley Chubb, Mohamed Kamara, Quinton Bell, Cameron Goode
- Practice Squad: Grayson Murphy
Interior Defensive Line: A New Identity
This past draft was a case of the new identity that the 2025 Miami Dolphins will display. Drafting three defensive tackles was a step in the right direction as the Dolphins are wanting to get more physical in the trenches. Kenneth Grant (Michigan), Jordan Phillips (Maryland), Zeek Biggers (Georgia Tech). Grant and Phillips will need to produce immediately while Biggers could make the practice squad.
Benito Jones and Zach Sieler will both return to the defensive line group. Sieler, who should have at least made a pro bowl, in the past two seasons, has 20 sacks, 41 QB hits, and 118 combined tackles.
Undrafted free agent Alex Huntley will fight for a spot on the practice squad and Matthew Butler was signed to the team in May. Butler will have a chance to make the 53-man roster.
Prediction:
- Final Roster: Kenneth Grant, Zach Sieler, Matthew Butler, Benito Jones, Jordan Phillips
- Practice Squad: Zeek Biggers
Linebackers: Underrated Defensive Names
Tyrel Dodson, Jordyn Brooks, K.J. Britt, Willie Gay are four names that are not being appreciated on defense. Tyrel Dodson, who the Dolphins picked up last season, proved he could be a proven leader. Brooks is coming back to get more comfortable with Anthony Weaver’s defensive scheme. Britt and Gay are new to the team. Britt comes from Tampa Bay and Gay comes from New Orleans and Kansas City where he won back-to-back Super Bowls with the Chiefs.
Channing Tindall, Dequan Jackson, and Eugene Asante will compete to get the last spot in the linebacker group. Tindall has the edge over the other two due to him being with the team the longest and having the most experience.
Prediction:
- Final Roster: Tyrel Dodson, Jordyn Brooks, K.J. Britt, Willie Gay, Channing Tindall
Cornerback: The New Era Has begun
With the departure of Jalen Ramsey and no news yet regarding the team bringing in Asante Samuel Jr or Rasul Douglas, the Dolphins cornerback group going into camp is Cam Smith, Kader Kohou, and Storm Duck. During the offseason while speaking to the media, General Manager Chris Grier stated, “we are not going to hold Cam Smiths hand anymore”. Smith who is a former 2nd round pick in 2023, has not shown any signs of being the right pick for the Dolphins in two years. Storm Duck went undrafted a year ago and got some playing time. Kader Kohou went undrafted in 2022 but has solidified himself as a reliable nickel corner.
This past draft the Dolphins drafted Jason Marshall Jr out of Florida in the 5th round. Undrafted free agents BJ Adams from UCF and Ethan Robinson from Minnesota. Artie Burns was signed to the team in free agency who turned 30 in May. This is a completely new era of identity in the secondary for Miami. There is not much experience and not much notoriety in this cornerback room.
Names to get to know are Kendall Sheffield, Isaiah Johnson, Ryan Cooper Jr, and fan favorite Ethan Bonner. End all be all, the Dolphins need to add a veteran into this position group. According to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, he reported that “Dolphins remain in active discussions with free agent cornerback Rasul Douglas”.
The team will have five corners on the 53-man roster. Once training camp starts, there will be an interesting position battle.
Prediction:
- Final Roster: Cam Smith, Kader Kohou, Storm Duck, Artie Burns, Isaiah Johnson
- Practice Squad: Jason Marshall Jr, Bj Adams
Safeties: The Prodigal Son Has Returned
Fitzpatrick is back! No not, Ryan Fitzpatrick but Minkah Fitzpatrick has returned. After being included in the trade package that sent Jalen Ramsey to the Steelers, the Dolphins in return got Minkah Fitzpatrick back. The 5-time pro bowler and 3-time all pro is back in Miami where he was drafted in the 1st round in 2018. With his return, the safety position has upgraded, and the Dolphins secondary does not look that inadequate.
The Dolphins signed Ashtyn Davis and Ifeatu Melifonwu in free agency. Davis reminds me of Brandon Jones (Safety for the Denver Broncos). He is a good run supporter and could be a linebacker in certain packages. Melifonwu has played 41% of his snaps as a deep safety and is more of a coverage safety than down in the box. Elijah Campbell, Jordan Colbert, and Patrick McMorris are both returning with their skill sets on defense and special teams. The added depth in this skill group is good and is needed for the length of the season.
Two rookies are joining this group; their names are Dante Trader Jr who we drafted in the 5th round this past draft and John Saunders Jr from Ole Miss. Both will compete in a position battle to most likely make the practice squad with a veteran lead safety room.
Prediction:
- Final roster: Minkah Fitzpatrick, Ifeatu Melifonwu, Ashtyn Davis, Elijah Campbell, Patrick McMorris
- Practice Squad: Dante Trader Jr
Special Teams: A new vision?
There is a position battle in the punter group. Jake Bailey and Ryan Stonehouse who we signed from the Titans will compete to see who will be our punter for the season.
Final Roster:
Kicker: Jason Sanders
Punter: Ryan Stonehouse
Longsnapper: Joe cardona
Photo Credits: Yahoo Sports, Miami Dolphins, The Phinsider, NFL, Sun Sentinel, Dolphins Wire – USA, The Palm Beach Post, Miami Herald
