Why Cameron Wake’s reduced role in 2018 could be good for Dolphins
By Brian Miller
Cameron Wake is 36 years old and is still tearing up the NFL and opposing offensive tackles. In 2018 he may see a reduced role on the outside. That’s a good thing.
When it comes to NFL defensive ends, Cameron Wake is one of the best active players in the NFL. He has 22 sacks over the last two seasons and looks younger after returning from his Achilles injury three seasons ago. He still got robbed of the NFL’s Comeback Player of the Year award.
Now here we are again. Wake facing another season and questions surrounding how long exactly he will last. With that talk comes whether or not he will take on a reduced role along the Dolphins defense.
In a recent interview with the Palm Beach Post, Wake sounded as though the Dolphins plans for him included some form of snap reduction.
"“Could I play every down? Obviously, yes, I’ve shown that,” Wake said. “Is that in the best interest of the team? Is that in the best interest of myself? Question mark. … “I don’t have this ‘Everybody look at me. I must be the starter.’ That’s not my mentality. I want to do whatever is going to help the entirety of the team, the entirety of the defense. So, if it means me being a third-down guy, let’s do it. If it means I have to start and play every down, I’ll take that role on, too.” Via the Palm Beach Post"
The Miami Dolphins have been through this before however. A couple of years ago the plan was to use Wake as a third down pass rusher but injuries forced him back into full three down duty and he responded well. In fact he has led the team in tackles from the defensive line the last two seasons.
How will the departure of Ndamukong Suh help or hinder Wake? That isn’t clear yet but the addition of Robert Quinn and the return of William Hayes gives the Dolphins a deep set of defensive ends that also include Andre Branch and last years top draft pick Charles Harris.
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If the Dolphins can get Harris to take a big next step forward, they can easily have the best rotation of defensive ends in the NFL and this will help Wake. As he said, he can still play all three downs but if he doesn’t have to, he will be a critical addition to obvious passing situations.
Let’s be clear however, Wake isn’t going to not go onto the field. He is not going to be a third down specialist. He will rotate. He might take a series off or a couple of plays during a drive but offenses will face him against both the run and the pass.
At 36 Wake is proving that he has a lot of football left in him and this year will likely be no different. If Wake has a reduced role it’s because the teammates he has with him can provide positive defensive value to the team and Wake becomes that much better by taking less hits to his body. It could prove to be very good at the end of the season if the Dolphins are contending for a post-season spot.