Where Dolphins defensive depth chart stands after first wave of free agency. What’s needed
More than two weeks into free agency, the Dolphins still have a handful of clear needs: another (higher quality) defensive tackle to compete for Christian Wilkins’ old job; another guard to compete to replace Robert Hunt; a No. 3 wide receiver and another edge rusher who can be counted on while Bradley Chubb and Jaelan Phillips mend from major injuries.
Here’s how the roster stands, by position, on defense heading into the April 25 NFL Draft and the second and third waves of free agency:
DEFENSIVE LINE
Who’s on the roster: Zach Sieler, Neville Gallimore, Jonathan Harris, Benito Jones, Brandon Pili, Da’Shawn Hand, Isaiah Mack and Daviyon Nixon. All are listed by the team as defensive tackles.
Who could be added: There’s a clear need for a starting-caliber tackle to pair with Sieler and compete for Wilkins’ old job. The current candidates for the job - Gallimore and Harris - have been mostly NFL backups.
The 299-pound Mack also will get a look; he has 25 NFL appearances and one start but has appeared in just four games (for Baltimore) over the past two years. If the Dolphins plan to go into the year with Gallimore, Harris and Mack as the Wilkins replacements, that wouldn’t seem to be good enough.
New defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver could replace Wilkins by committee; the Ravens rotated defensive linemen a lot when he coached there.
Perhaps the Wilkins replacement could be Texas’ Byron Murphy III, who could be in play with the 21st pick. Perhaps it could be a free agent who shakes free after the draft.
Comment: At this point, Jones would be the front-runner to replace Colts-bound Raekwon Davis when Miami uses a nose tackle. But Hand, Pili and Nixon will get a look.
The 305-pound Nixon played 144 defensive snaps for Carolina over the past two seasons. Another nose tackle or two likely will be added through the draft process. Jones started 15 games for Detroit last season but PFF rated him among the worst nose tackles in the league.
LINEBACKER
Who’s on the roster: Jaelan Phillips, Bradley Chubb, David Long Jr., Jordyn Brooks, Shaq Barrett, Duke Riley, Channing Tindall, Cameron Goode, Anthony Walker Jr., Quenton Bell, Zeke Vandenburgh.
Who could be added: Another edge player assuredly will be signed or drafted. Phillips has a chance to start the season on time after his November torn Achilles.
It’s more questionable with Chubb, who had a Dec. 31 ACL injury, though Brooks returned to start the 2023 season after a Week 17 torn ACL.
A serious knee injury has Goode’s status in serious question to start next season.
That leaves Barrett as the only established edge player not coming off a serious knee injury.
Miami needs more - either an established veteran or UCLA’s Laiatu Latu or Missouri’s Darius Robinson, who also can play on the defensive line.
Comment: With Long, Brooks, Riley and Walker, the Dolphins are seemingly set at inside linebacker. The question becomes whether former third-round pick Channing Tindall even makes the team as a No. 5 inside linebacker or whether the team converts him to outside linebacker, where his pass rush skills could be developed. (I sought an answer on that this week and the response was non-committal about Tindall working outside.)
Tindall has played just 21 defensive snaps in two seasons but has been an asset on special teams (411 defensive snaps).
DEFENSIVE BACKS
Who’s on the roster: Cornerbacks Jalen Ramsey, Kendall Fuller, Kader Kohou, Cam Smith, Ethan Bonner and special teams ace Siran Neal; safeties Jevon Holland, Jordan Poyer, Elijah Campbell; and safety/cornerback Nik Needham.
Who could be added: At least two more cornerbacks, potentially through the draft process, where the Dolphins have uncovered Needham, Kohou and now Bonner as undrafted free agents. And a veteran safety seems likely to be added to compete with Campbell and Needham behind Holland and Poyer.
Comment: After the draft, the Dolphins must decide whether to have Needham compete with Kohou and perhaps Smith for the slot corner job – when Ramsey isn’t playing there. At this point, the plan is for the Dolphins to look at Needham at both corner and safety.
Cam Smith will have every chance to earn a top No. 4 rotation spot. If he struggles this summer, a veteran boundary corner could be added.
Here’s a look at the depth chart on offense.
