Miami Dolphins gameday: 3 players that need to step up!

Chase Edmonds Mandatory Credit: Rich Storry-USA TODAY Sports
Chase Edmonds Mandatory Credit: Rich Storry-USA TODAY Sports /
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Miami Dolphins
Jaelan Phillips Miami Dolphins Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /

Defensively the Miami Dolphins need to get more production for Jaelan Phillips.

Jaelan Phillips should be having a big year but instead, the second-year LB/DE isn’t having the impact he did in his rookie season. He is getting pressure but he isn’t finishing. He is being handled at the line of scrimmage and finding it hard to get off the block.

Last year, Phillips was explosive off the line but this year he is losing a step and his inability to work in more moves to get off the block is showing. Is he a one-trick pony? He reportedly worked this off-season on improving his technique and versatility but so far, we haven’t seen enough of it.

One of the problems could be the fact that Emmanuel Ogbah is also not having a great season thus far either. Both edge rushers are not creating consistent pressure that leads to sacks and with Ogbah not performing up to the task, Phillips’ inability to make sacks is more visible.

Today, both Phillips and Ogbah need to step up. Miami has to put pressure on Kirk Cousins, and they need to knock him around. Otherwise, Cousins will dump off his passes and the WR group will have a big day against a secondary that is hurting.