No AFC East title since 2008, no Super Bowl appearance since 1984 and no Lombardi Trophy since 1973. That’s the reality when it comes to the Miami Dolphins,
However, under head coach Mike McDaniel, the team has reached the postseason two straight years, something the club hasn’t done since the Jimmy Johnson/Dave Wannstedt days (1997-2001). However, there’s been no playoff victory since 2000 as the Dolphins’ last two seasons have been ended by the Bills and Chiefs, respectively.
One of the issues that plagued the team’s defense late in the year was a pass rush that was riddled with injuries late in the year.
The club has the 21st overall pick in April’s draft. Ironically, it marks the first time since ’21 that the franchise has a first-round selection. Could the Dolphins zero in on a veteran sack artist next month (free agency begins on March 13)? Here are five players that could hit the open market, and perhaps be a part of a unit now under new defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver.
5. Yannick Ngakoue (Chicago Bears)
He’s definitely one of the more well-traveled players in the league, but has had some success at nearly every stop. Yannick Ngakoue was a third-round pick by the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2016, and played in all but one game for the team in his four seasons. He totaled 37.5 sacks and 14 forced fumbles, making the Pro Bowl in 2017.
He was dealt to the Minnesota Vikings during the summer of 2020, and the traded to the Baltimore Ravens late that year. In 2021, he signed a free-agent deal with the Raiders, but a year later was traded to the Colts. Last offseason, he inked a one-year deal with Chicago.
Ngakoue started the first 13 games for the Bears in 2023. He finished with 22 tackles, and his four sacks ranked third on the team. However, he suffered a broken ankle and mid-December and missed the remainder of the season.
It adds up to a total of 69.0 and 21 forced fumbles with six teams in eight seasons. Ngakoue turns 29 on March 31 and is worth a look-see by general manager Chris Grier.
4. Denico Autry (Tennessee Titans)
A solid performer who began his NFL career with the Raiders as an undrafted free agent. Former Mississippi State standout Denico Autry has been a consistent performer for three teams, although he’s never received any personal accolades. He’s also been part of clubs that have reached the playoffs four times – the Raiders in 2016, Indianapolis in 2018 and 2020 and Tennessee in 2021.
The versatile Autry can line up inside and outside on the defensive front. The 10-year pro has really come into his own over the last six seasons, three each with the Colts and Titans. Over that span, Autry has racked up and impressive 48.5 sacks and seven forced fumbles while knocking down 19 passes. He led Tennessee with a career-best 11.5 QB traps in 2023.
3. Leonard Floyd (Buffalo Bills)
Here is another player that has gotten better with time. Outside linebacker Leonard Floyd began his professional career with the Chicago Bears, having been the ninth overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft. He totaled a modest 18.5 sacks in four seasons in the Windy City but did return two of his four takeaways for scores. The Bears would pick up his fifth-year option.
However, the organization ran a reverse and wound up releasing the former Georgia Bulldog. He wound up with Rams and in three seasons with the club, he never missed a game. There were 29.0 sacks in 50 regular-season contests, and four more in six postseason outings. He was part of the team’s 2021 Super Bowl title team.
Floyd was let go by the Rams last offseason, latched on with the Bills and led Sean McDermott’s club with 10.5 quarterback traps. Could his next stop be another stint in the AFC East?
2. Za’Darius Smith (Cleveland Browns)
He was a part of the league’s top-ranked defensive unit a year ago, and his presence certainly made life easier for eventual 2023 NFL Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett.
Last May, the Cleveland Browns obtained standout defender Za’Darius Smith and a pair of 2025 draft choices (sixth and seventh round) for a fifth-round selection this year and a fifth-round pick in ’25. He played and started 16 games for NFL Coach of the Year Kevin Stefanski’s playoff-bound Browns. Smith finished second on the team with 5.5 sacks.
In his nine NFL seasons, the three-time Pro Bowler has racked up 60.0 sacks and 10 forced fumbles with the Ravens, Packers, Vikings and Browns. Smith has totaled 10-plus QB traps three times during his career.
1. Danielle Hunter (Minnesota Vikings)
He began his career in impressive fashion, dealt with injuries that limited him to a total of seven games over two seasons (missing all of 2020), and has now regained his Pro Bowl form. Perhaps the biggest question surrounding superior pass-rusher Danielle Hunter is whether the Minnesota Vikings will put the franchise tag on the defensive standout.
In 2023, only four players in the league totaled more sacks than Hunter. He played in all 17 regular-season games for the second straight year. He finished with 83 total tackles, led the Purple Gang with a career-best 16.5 QB traps, as well as quarterback hits (22), and was tied for the club lead with four forced fumbles. He was named to the Pro Bowl for the fourth time in his last five seasons.
The Vikings were an improved defensive unit under coordinator Brian Flores, and Hunter’s play was a big reason why.