Position by Position Analysis (defense)

[SF Dolphin Fan]

[h=2]Position by Position Analysis (defense)[/h]

Here's my rating system:

Well below average = bottom five in the league (-3)
Below average = bottom third in the league (-2)
Slightly below average = less than average, but not quite bottom third (-1)
Average = in the middle of the pack league-wise (0)
Slightly above average = not quite top third (+1)
Above average = top third in the league (+2)
Well above average = top five in the league (+3)

Defensive Line ---- Above Average (+2)
This remains the strength of the team as virtually every starter is above average. Starks is a near pro bowl talent and one of the more underrated players in the game. At 30 he may start declining, but he is a good all-around player. Odrick is also above average at DT. Wake is a top 5 defensive end. Vernon emerged opposite Wake as a top pass rusher with 11.5 sacks, but has a ways to go against the run. The wildcard is Jordan who has superstar potential. Miami has pretty good depth here as well, but may miss the run plugger Solai.

Linebacker ---- Below Average (-2)
I question how much of the deficit here is do to players' talents or lack of coaching. Case in point Dansby goes back to Arizona and looks like a superstar. He was slightly above average in Miami. Wheeler and Ellerbe look like emerging talents in Oakland and Baltimore respectively, but are generally awful with the Dolphins. Moving Misi to MLB, however, could have a positive affect on the whole unit as Ellerbe can play a more familiar role. Jordan is a possibility on passing downs as Miami will want to get Wake, Vernon and Jordan on the field at the same time. That seems like a no-brainer. I like Tripp and he should initially add some quality depth, but I can't imagine him starting in 2014.

Secondary --- Average (0)
If all the projected starters play to their abilities this could be an above average unit. Grimes is a pro bowler and one of the best corners Miami has had in a long, long time. Ireland hit a home run on that signing. Jones had a pro bowl year in 2012, but regressed badly in 2013. Finnegan was one of the best in the league a few years back. How will he play in Miami? Taylor is a player I liked a lot coming out of Boise State and he could emerge as a starter. Aikens is intriguing, but needs time to develop. Davis is a playmaker that needs to prove he can support the run game. Delmas, I think, is an upgrade over Clemens as more of a playmaker.​

 

[justdon]

If guys stay healthy in that secondary i think we could realy shut down some passing..

 

[SF Dolphin Fan]

If guys stay healthy in that secondary i think we could realy shut down some passing..

I agree. There's a lot of talent here. The big issue is that both Grimes and Finnegan are 30 so the unit may still need to upgrade in the next year or so. I think Delmas and Finnegan could prove to be good signings.

 

[KTOWNFINFAN]

[h=2]Position by Position Analysis (defense)[/h]

Here's my rating system:

Well below average = bottom five in the league (-3)
Below average = bottom third in the league (-2)
Slightly below average = less than average, but not quite bottom third (-1)
Average = in the middle of the pack league-wise (0)
Slightly above average = not quite top third (+1)
Above average = top third in the league (+2)
Well above average = top five in the league (+3)

Defensive Line ---- Above Average (+2)
This remains the strength of the team as virtually every starter is above average. Starks is a near pro bowl talent and one of the more underrated players in the game. At 30 he may start declining, but he is a good all-around player. Odrick is also above average at DT. Wake is a top 5 defensive end. Vernon emerged opposite Wake as a top pass rusher with 11.5 sacks, but has a ways to go against the run. The wildcard is Jordan who has superstar potential. Miami has pretty good depth here as well, but may miss the run plugger Solai.

Linebacker ---- Below Average (-2)
I question how much of the deficit here is do to players' talents or lack of coaching. Case in point Dansby goes back to Arizona and looks like a superstar. He was slightly above average in Miami. Wheeler and Ellerbe look like emerging talents in Oakland and Baltimore respectively, but are generally awful with the Dolphins. Moving Misi to MLB, however, could have a positive affect on the whole unit as Ellerbe can play a more familiar role. Jordan is a possibility on passing downs as Miami will want to get Wake, Vernon and Jordan on the field at the same time. That seems like a no-brainer. I like Tripp and he should initially add some quality depth, but I can't imagine him starting in 2014.

Secondary --- Average (0)
If all the projected starters play to their abilities this could be an above average unit. Grimes is a pro bowler and one of the best corners Miami has had in a long, long time. Ireland hit a home run on that signing. Jones had a pro bowl year in 2012, but regressed badly in 2013. Finnegan was one of the best in the league a few years back. How will he play in Miami? Taylor is a player I liked a lot coming out of Boise State and he could emerge as a starter. Aikens is intriguing, but needs time to develop. Davis is a playmaker that needs to prove he can support the run game. Delmas, I think, is an upgrade over Clemens as more of a playmaker.​

Pretty spot on, I might have to drop our LBs back to -3. To be honest I can't think of a team that I wouldn't trade all three starters for their three starters. Would be hard for me to imagine how there are 5 teams with worse LBs than our 3.

 

[PHINSfan]

also agree with the OP assessment. Wish we could have a better LB unit!!

 

[SF Dolphin Fan]

Pretty spot on, I might have to drop our LBs back to -3. To be honest I can't think of a team that I wouldn't trade all three starters for their three starters. Would be hard for me to imagine how there are 5 teams with worse LBs than our 3.

I came pretty close to going -3 for our linebackers as well. What held me back is that maybe moving Misi to the middle can improve two spots. I liked Ellerbe in Baltimore so it's hard to figure out why his play slipped so badly in Miami. Also, I feel like Jordan will see some playing time at linebacker mostly in passing downs so that the Dolphins can take advantage of having him, Wake and Vernon on the field at the same time.

That said, Hickey should be spending a lot of time evaluating the linebackers in this next draft. The unit may need a complete makeover.