Miami Dolphins top remaining defensive edge options
By Pablo Rosero
If Clowney has anything left in the tank, Miami could heavily benefit
35. Pick Analysis. EDGE. South Carolina. player. Scouting Report. Jadeveon Clowney.
The former first overall pick in the 2014 NFL draft has had his fair shares of ups and downs during his time in the NFL. While he has not lived up to the billing of an ultra-dominate pass rusher as he was said to out of South Carolina, Clowney has showcased enough to be named a three-time Pro-Bowler and Second-Team All-Pro in 2016.
In his two most recent stints, one season with the Seattle Seahawks and one with the Tennessee Titans, Clowney has been fairly disappointing. In both instances, he was brought over to help pour defensive lines that did not get better.
In 2019 with Seattle, Clowney had 5 sacks in 13 games, but he was able to force 5 turnovers. In 2020 with Tennessee, Clowney had 0 sacks in only 5 games thanks to injuries.
Now as a free agent, Clowney will have to prove he is healthy and the Dolphins could benefit from this. By signing Clowney, who would fit the Dolphin’s defensive scheme and play that empty Kyle Van Noy role, the team could sign him on a one-year deal and still draft an EDGE rusher later in the draft.
If Clowney is able to prove that he still has gas left in the tank, the team could extend him as a rotational pass rusher. In a division with Josh Allen, Cam Newton, and either Sam Darnold or a new rookie quarterback, getting to the quarterback is extremely important.
The Buccaneers proved a potent pass rush wins games and adding a cheap, and hopefully healthy, Clowney could improve the Dolphins pass rush.