Dolphins must select a defensive tackle early
The Miami Dolphins can’t replace defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh with one player.
The problem is, no one knows how many players it will take to replace Suh, the five-time All-Pro selection who was released by Miami and eventually signed with the Los Angeles Rams.
That’s why defensive tackle Vita Vea (Washington) remains a first-round possibility for Miami with the 11th pick of the draft (April 26-28). It’s also why selecting two defensive tackles — it’s considered a fairly deep class at that position — is almost a necessity.
At defensive end the Dolphins seem OK. Among Cameron Wake, Andre Branch, William Hayes, newly acquired Robert Quinn and Charles Harris, last year’s firstround pick, it’s a potentially strong pass-rushing group that should be decent at stopping the run, especially with Hayes aboard.
At defensive tackle, however, there’s a big need for reinforcements to aid Jordan Phillips, Davon Godchaux, Vincent Taylor and Gabe Wright.
That’s why defensive tackle is among Miami’s top draft needs along with linebacker and tight end, and then perhaps safety and backup quarterback.
Phillips, the 2015 second-round pick who runs hot and cold, is the veteran of the defensive tackle group and a returning starter. But his inconsistency has been troubling.
Godchaux, a 2017 fifth-round pick, and Taylor, a 2017 sixthround pick, showed promise last season as rookies, Godchaux more than Taylor. But neither proved he’s good enough to be a full-time starter.
Wright, a 2015 fourth-round pick by Detroit, has bounced around the league among Detroit, Cleveland, Philadelphia, and, now, Miami, in three seasons, totaling 11 tackles in 13 games with one start.
Even though the run-stuffing Hayes could move inside because of his run-stopping skills, there’s a need for Miami to add a defensive tackle or two, with emphasis on taking one in the first three rounds.
Among the draft’s top defensive tackles aside from Vea there’s Da’Ron Payne (Alabama), Maurice Hurst (Michigan), Taven Bryan (Florida), Harrison Phillips (Stanford), Tim Settle (Virginia Tech), R.J. McIntosh (University of Miami) and Derrick Nnadi (Florida State), among others.
Miami should be able to get a quality defensive tackle in the first three rounds, and possibly get two quality defensive tackles in the first four or five rounds, even if it decides against selecting one in the first.
Whoever the Dolphins select must, at the very least, be a major contributor as a rookie, and ideally he’s a three-down starter.
Suh was a beast in his three seasons with the Dolphins, doing lots of dirty work, such as constantly battling double teams, to help the run and pass defenses.
Suh’s replacement won’t be able to do those same things as well as Suh. But that’s irrelevant.
Miami must find an impact defensive tackle (or two) in this draft and then trust defensive coordinator Matt Burke to find a way to make the position a factor.
It’s doubtful Miami drafts a pass rusher/defensive end this year.
But it’s very likely Miami drafts a defensive tackle (or two).
Although the Dolphins return young talent on the interior defensive line, it’s largely unproven.
Prior to drafting Phillips (2015), Godchaux and Taylor (2017), the Dolphins had drafted two defensive tackles since 2010, and both of those were seventh-round selections — Frank Kearse (2011) and Kheeston Randall (2012).
The process of re-stocking continues, and how well the Dolphins do will be a key part of the defense’s success in 2018. So Miami must get meaningful help at defensive tackle in this draft.
chperkins@sunsentinel .com, Twitter @Chrisperk