5 positions that need addressing by the Miami Dolphins in 2017

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Jan 1, 2017; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins defensive end Cameron Wake (91) and linebacker Spencer Paysinger (42) and middle linebacker Kiko Alonso (47) emerge from the locker room tunnel before an NFL football game against the New England Patriots at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /

Miami keeps trying to find the right make-up of defenders to finally stop the rushing attack of opposing players. They haven’t found that combination yet and it could be because of the linebackers or the defensive lineman.

Teams fear Cameron Wake off the edge and Ndamukong Suh underneath but neither player, playing next to each other, had the impact that Miami had hoped for in their final two games. Miami must find a way to stop the run and force passing that allows Suh and Wake to force quarterbacks into bad decisions.

Miami is relatively set at defensive tackle with Suh and Jordan Phillips but Andre Branch is a free agent and the Dolphins released Jason Jones. That leaves Terrence Fede on the edge. With Miami likely to release Mario Williams, Defensive end becomes a huge need. Especially given the age of Cameron Wake who turned 34 this year.

Miami will need to find adequate depth along the defensive line but defensive end is going to need addressing this off-season both for the 2017 season and the future of the position.

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