Miami Dolphins: 5 numbers that defined the 2022 season

Miami Dolphins: 5 numbers that defined the 2022 season

98

Tackles for Christian Wilkins

The defense underwent some serious changes and fluctuation during the 2022 season, thanks in large part to season-ending injuries to some of their key players. It is certainly true that they underperformed as a unit, something that would eventually lead to the firing of their coordinator, Josh Boyer.

Despite all the ailments, Boyer should have been able to get more out of such a talented roster. Sure, Needham, Ogbah, and Brandon and Byron Jones missed significant portions of the season, but there was still a slew of excellent players at his disposal. Jaelan Phillips and Bradley Chubb showed us glimpses of the powerful pass rush that they could become, Jevon Holland and Kader Kohou are young pieces that show a lot of promise in the secondary, and Zach Sieler is one of the most underrated defenders in the entire league.

But perhaps the most talented player on Miami’s defense is Christian Wilkins. In his 4th season, the defensive tackle from Clemson was often dominant. He built on his progression from a season ago, in which he led the league in tackles for a defensive lineman, by making some serious history with his performance. Wilkins had 98 tackles on the season, which broke the NFL record for most by a defensive lineman since 1994, a nearly 30-year span.

He has just one season remaining on his contract, and re-signing him to a long-term deal should be one of the first things on the radar for Miami’s front office this coming off-season.