Miami Dolphins training camp: DE’s

The addition of Ndamukong Suh should have far reaching implications for the Miami Dolphins defense. Especially at defensive end. Whether he lines up inside of Cameron Wake or Olivier Vernon, the double teams that Suh should see will force opposing offenses to leave single blockers on Wake or Vernon. Both players could and should have very good seasons.

The Dolphins defensive ends have been the bread and butter of the teams defense for years and 2015 is no different. The team is stout not only up front with starters but their depth is some of the best in the league. Here is a look at the defensive end unit as we head into camp.

Cameron Wake

There is no reason to believe that Wake will not post double digit sack totals in 2015. In addition, both defensive ends may see more outside running backs with Suh in the middle. Wake is only average in coverage but this year he shouldn’t see much need to cover anyone out of the back-field. Opposing offenses will try and slow Miami’s defense by using running back screens and that is where Wake needs to improve. While it’s easy to get caught up in the one on one blocking that Wake will see, it’s also important to note that Wake has struggled in the past against one on one tackles. Last year he didn’t play well against some of the rookies in the league. He can be up and down at times and needs to work on his game to game consistency but there is no question that he has all the right pieces around him to really make 2015 his best season.

Olivier Vernon

Vernon like Wake will see more opportunities in pass rush this year and Vernon has done well in run defense and screen pass recognition. In fact I would say he is a little better at it than Wake. Vernon is entering a contract season and he is likely to throw it all on the field in the hopes of a new contract either with Miami or with someone else. A lot of that has to do with the depth on the roster and whether or not Miami sees one of the back-ups as their future. This very well could be the last season for Vernon in Miami but Miami should reap the benefits of his play ahead of that new contract.

Dion Jordan

Jordan is suspended for the season. The Dolphins still have not decided whether they will keep him for 2016. They opted not to pursue signing bonus money from him which is a good indication that they still see value in him down the road. Jordan will not be in camp this year but what happens in camp could make his future even cloudier.

Terence Fede

Last season I scoffed at the drafting of Fede. He proved that he belongs in the NFL. 2015 should give him more of an opportunity to learn this level of play. Fede is very fast off the ball and has good vision moving upfield. Camp will give him more opportunities to make an impact on the team. This year he will be trying to show the coaches that he is ready for a starting role.

Derrick Shelby

Last years arrest put Shelby in the doghouse and out of one game. This season Shelby will look to rectify his position on the team. He isn’t in any real danger of not making the roster and the Dolphins are hoping that the solid progress he has made will continue. He is close to doing more than just substitution play and could see his role increased as camp moves on. He will be a big part of the pre-season contests and should see extended playing time throughout the exhibition season.

Emmanuel Dieke, Kendall Montgomery, Ray Drew

The three rookies are hoping to compete for a practice squad position. The Dolphins are very good at finding defensive end depth but the team is very solid with their top four players and it’s unlikely they will enter the season with more than four. At this point, if the Dolphins do keep five DE’s, all three have a chance to make the roster but it’s going to be difficult to get on the game day roster if they do make the 53.

Predicitions

Wake and Vernon are the leaders on the defensive line and while both Fede and Shelby are playing very good football at this stage of their careers they are not in position to take one of the starting jobs. The Dolphins need to start thinking about the departure of Vernon and Wake is not getting younger. Within the next two seasons tough decisions will need to be made at both RDE and LDE which makes the progress of Shelby and Fede that much more important and opens up spots for one or two of the other three on the practice squad.