Miami Dolphins Needs: Defensive Line

The Miami Dolphins have always had a top front defensive line but in 2014 that line couldn’t stop the run. The loss of Paul Soliai hurt the team more than many think. While free agent acquisition Earl Mitchell played well throughout the season he couldn’t plug the middle of the line like Soliai.

One would think that the Dolphins depth at the defensive line position would be enough to not look in this direction in 2015 but that will not be the case. Starting defensive tackle Jared Odrick is set to become a free agent and there are some questions as to whether he will return. For starters this is the first time he looks to get paid well after his rookie contract and he has put up numbers to justify 2nd tier pay on the open market.

The Dolphins are looking at a deficit in cap money as of now and Odrick may not be a top priority for the team. Another question is whether or not Odrick wants to return. Odrick does not like the current system in play in Miami, specifically the continual rotation of players every other series. It was one of the leading reasons he was seen yelling towards coach Joe Philbin on the sideline. Still Odrick brings an attitude that the Dolphins lack on defense. Cam Wake is not a vocal leader and Odrick may be the teams only real outspoken player on the defensive side of the ball. It might be hard to lose a player like that.

The good news for the Dolphins is they do have a lot of defensive lineman that are showing the ability to play in the current system and that could also speak towards the team not overpaying for Odrick.

The Dolphins will need to address the Odrick situation before they address anything else along the defensive line. If they opt to keep him the team could look to draft an upfront run stopping defensive tackle/nose tackle. If they let him go the team will likely turn to free agency as an option but don’t expect the Dolphins to spend at this position on tier one, two, or maybe even three.

The Dolphins are in good shape at defensive end but sooner or later they will need to find Cam Wakes replacement. It is still an uncertainty regarding Dion Jordan’s future with the team. After two seasons no one is close to knowing what his role with the team actually is. The Dolphins will also need to make a decision on DE Derrick Shelby who will be a free agent this off-season as well.

Lions Ndamukong Suh, 28 years old

Dolphins Jared Odrick, 26 years old

Lions Nick Fairley, 26 years old

Browns Ahtyba Rubin, 28 years old

Broncos Terrance Knighton, 28 years old

Packers B.J. Raji (3-4 DE), 28 years old

Colts Cory Redding (3-4 DE), 34 years old

Bengals Devon Still, 25 years old (RFA)

Seahawks Kevin Williams, 34 years old

Cardinals Dan Williams, 27 years old

Browns Ishamaa’ily Kitchen, 26 years old (RFA)

Cardinals Alameda Ta’amu, 24 years old (RFA)