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Miami Dolphins top remaining defensive edge options

By Pablo Rosero

Oct 25, 2020; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Titans outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney (99) tackles Pittsburgh Steelers running back James Conner (30) at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 25, 2020; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Titans outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney (99) tackles Pittsburgh Steelers running back James Conner (30) at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 21, 2019; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Hurricanes defensive lineman Gregory Rousseau (15) celebrates by wearing the turnover chain after recovering a fumble in the first quarter of a football game against the Central Michigan Chippewas at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 21, 2019; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Hurricanes defensive lineman Gregory Rousseau (15) celebrates by wearing the turnover chain after recovering a fumble in the first quarter of a football game against the Central Michigan Chippewas at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports /

Miami could target local EDGE rusher Gregory Rousseau early in round one of the NFL draft

Gregory Rousseau. player. 834. Scouting Report. EDGE. Miami (FL). . Pick Analysis

Arguably the best EDGE rush prospect in the 2021 NFL draft, Rousseau sat out of 2020 due to COVID in order to prepare for the draft. Regardless of sitting out, his dominant 2019 season was enough to keep him around the top of the list of EDGE rushers.

At 6-foot-7, 265 Lbs, Rousseau is big, lean, and fast coming from the EDGE spot. The South Florida native accounted for a whopping 15.5 sacks in his sophomore season with the Miami Hurricanes.

Possessing a unique blend of strength and speed, Rousseau has the resume of playing against top teams and elite offensive lineman prospects. Most impressive was his two-game stretch where he compiled 7 total sacks, 3 against 20th ranked Virginia and 4 against UM rival Florida State.

In a defense where the team features multiple big-bodied defensive tackles that take on multiple blockers, Rousseau will rarely be double teamed and should make opposing offensive tackles pay, opposite of Emmanuel Ogbah.

The one issue with targeting Rosseau is it would cost the Dolphins either trading back from three or trading up from 18. In a first-round loaded with EDGE rushers, the best option would be if Miami trades back from three and misses out on all the top wideouts and fills their next biggest hole.

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