The Miami Dolphins’ top 20 Players of the 2021-2022 season
By Nick Belotto
#5 Christian Wilkins
2021 stats: 89 tackles, 49 solo, 4.5 sacks, 10 TFL, 13 QB hits, 1 RecTD
Wilkins was the first pick of the Brian Flores era and has proven that he was worthy of that selection each year that he has played.
Wilkins had always been good against the run, but this year he added to his ability to rush the passer, putting up his best numbers in that department over the course of his career. He also continued to play on offense, scoring a touchdown against the Jets and blessed us with an incredible worm celebration showing off his athleticism and his care-free and fun loving attitude.
Wilkins is a force to be reckoned with on this defensive line and should be a piece to build around for a long time to come.
#4 Jevon Holland
2021 Stats: 69 tackles, 48 solo, 2.5 sacks, 3 FR, 2 INT
The Miami Dolphins got a steal in their second round selection.
Over the course of the season, Holland has developed into a star safety, capable of doing just about everything on defense.
He is good in pass coverage, can help against the run and showed an ability to rush the passer. He even served as the primary punt returner for a good chunk of the second half of the season.
Holland is a star in the making and should be one of the best safeties in the league in the next few years, if he isn’t already in the conversation.
#3 Emmanuel Ogbah
2021 stats: 41 tackles, 29 solo, 9 TFL 9 sacks, 24 QB hits, 1 FF, 1 FR
Another player hoping to land a big contract in the offseason, Ogbah turned in one oft he best performances of his career.
He was Miami best defender on the line of scrimmage and wreaked havoc behind the line of scrimmage and against the run proving he can do everything for this team. He also has a good understanding of when the opposing QB is going to throw the ball so he can get his hands in the air to knock down the pass. Those are really important intangibles that are sometimes hard to ingrain in younger players.
Ogbah, however, is a free agent and may choose to leave the Dolphins with the coaching situation in flux. If Miami’s front office is smart, they will keep the talented defender who can do everything on the defensive line. It would be a shame to let him go.
# 2 Xavien Howard
2021 stats: 50 tackles, 39 solo, 5 INTs, 1 TD, 1 sack, 2 FF, 2 FR
There is no doubt that Xavien Howard is the best player on this roster. He is the team’s lone pro-bowler at the moment (though if a few wideouts drop out, Waddle should join him) and he proved again why he’s one of the more dangerous corners in the game.
He definitely started the season slowly and looked like he lost a step during the losing streak. But, by mid season, he was back to his Pro-Bowl self and the defense, as a unit, got much better.
There will probably be conversations about his status on the team this offseason, but if Miami is smart they will do whatever they can to keep their star corner in Miami for the entirety of his career. He has Hall of Fame talent and it would be a shame for the Dolphins to lose that over what seem to be silly contract disputes.