Miami Dolphins 2015: Better Or Worse Part II

We covered the Miami Dolphins 2015 outlook, thus far, over here. Now we swing from the point producing side of the ball to the point determent side of the ball. The Defense. The Dolphins have made some significant changes to the defensive side of the ball but are they better as a team for it?

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Defensive Line:

Jared Odrick is gone. Randy Starks is gone. Earl Mitchell remains. One name however literally towers over them all. Ndamukong Suh. Suh is a massive but quick defensive lineman who can lift anyone around him. A ferocious run stopping tackle who is quick enough to get to the quarterback. A three down lineman, Suh won’t be off the field very often.

Outlook: Better – While Odrick will be missed Dolphins fans will have Suhmone new to cheer for. Suh should make the entire front seven better.

Defensive end:

Cameron Wake returns as does Olivier Vernon and Derrick Shelby and improving Terrance Fede. The Dolphins are in good shape at defensive end even though they can’t figure out what to do with Dion Jordan.

Outlook: Better – The personnel has not changed but the presence of Suh will make double teaming Wake and/or Vernon almost impossible. Which means we should see a larger impact off the edge this season.

Outside Linebacker:

Phillip Wheeler is gone which left a gaping hole in the linebacker corps. The good news is that Wheeler wasn’t that great to begin with. Last season Jelani Jenkins took over one outside spot and this year Chris McCain, Dion Jordan, Jordan Tripp, and recently signed Spencer Paysinger will battle for the other spot.

Outlook: Better – the loss of Wheeler cures a locker room issue and a run stopping issue. McCain is due to breakout and could have a similar outing like Jenkins last year. With Suh up front…again…we are talking about an elevation in play from the linebackers.

Middle Linebacker:

Koa Misi looks to be returning to the middle but there is speculation and dissension in the Dolphins organization about whether he should move outside. If he does, the outside will get better but the interior will have a big hole to fill.

Outlook: Even – It’s too early to tell considering we simply don’t know where Misi will be playing but if he stays in the middle it doesn’t change. The trade of Dannelle Ellerbe has no effect on this position.

Cornerback:

The Dolphins need to draft a cornerback but when is the question. Brent Grimes is back but Cortland Finnegan is gone. Jamar Taylor, Brice McCain, and Will Davis will see considerable camp competition for the spot opposite Grimes. If Grimes goes down however the Dolphins have nothing behind him.

Outlook: Even – The loss of Finnegan hurts but the Dolphins lost him last season to injury and Taylor looked like he was getting better before his injury. Taylor is back so it makes it clearly even but the Dolphins still need to add a corner and that could easily elevate this to better.

Safety:

Reshad Jones had a very good year last year and Louis Delmas looked good until his injury ended his season. This is a common theme with him. This season Delmas is back as is safety Michael Thomas. The Dolphins lost Jimmy Wilson to free agency.

Outlook: Better – Delmas returning is good if he can get and stay healthy but the return of Thomas has more potential to me. Thomas looked ready to take it to another level before his chest injury ended his season. With Wilson gone, Thomas will get more opportunities.