GM Chris Grier not on edge
No rush apparent to address issues
Defensive end, edge player, pass rusher.
Call the position on the end of the defensive line whatever you like because that is irrelevant.
What is relevant is the void the Miami Dolphins have created on their defensive front with decisions made this offseason — releasing linebacker Kyle Van Noy, trading away defensive end Shaq Lawson — are obvious.
Even though Vince Biegel, who missed all of last season with an Achilles injury, was re-signed, the Dolphins have a glaring need on the edge of their defensive line, one that must be addressed before the regular season starts in September.
However, Dolphins general manager Chris Grier doesn’t seem pressed about who sets the edge on running downs, and who hunts down the quarterback on the opposite side of Emmanuel Ogbah on passing downs in 2021.
The Dolphins have four picks in the top 50 of the 2021 NFL draft, and about a dozen edge players — 5-technique linebackers, 3-tech
5-technique linebackers, 3-technique defensive ends, and pure pass rushers — could seamlessly fit into Miami’s 3-4 hybrid scheme if the Dolphins select them.
But don’t think Miami will act out of desperation. Grier didn’t seem panicked during his pre-draft press conference Wednesday. The Dolphins’ top executive on the football side of the organization pointed out that a few decent defensive ends and pass rushers are still available in free agency, and they might be willing to sign deals that pay them “below market value.”
That possibility could steer Miami’s drafting.
“We feel good about it,” Grier said when asked about the team’s pass-rusher depth. “Like anything, we’re always looking to keep upgrading.
“It’s just a unique year with the pandemic, so many teams releasing players, players taking one-year deals cheaper, below market value because of the salary cap,” Grier continued. “For us at the end of the day, we’ll just keep churning over the roster and look at the draft here, and keep looking at free agents that are on the streets as well.”
Melvin Ingram and Olivier Vernon both call South Florida home during the offseason, and each of these former Pro Bowlers would be open to playing for the Dolphins if the money, and the situation is right, according to league sources.
But both pass rushers are rehabbing injuries — a knee injury that lingered for Ingram, and an Achilles for Vernon, who suffered it in January — that could impact their 2021 season.
Ezekiel Ansah, Allen Bailey, Justin Houston, Jabaal Sheard, Ryan Kerrigan and Everson Griffen are the older options considering all of those defensive linemen are over 30.
Vic Beasley, Bruce Irvin, Anthony Chickillo, and Romeo Okwara are some of the younger veterans ends still looking for an employer, and they’d all be retread options.
Grier has had an uneven history when it comes to drafting edge players.
He was the director of college scouting when Miami drafted Vernon in the third round of the 2012 draft. And the former University of Miami standout has had a productive NFL career, one he’s not ready to end.
Grier was also in that role when Miami traded up to select Dion Jordan third overall in the 2013 draft. Jordan is arguably the biggest draft bust in franchise history because of his struggles on the field, and his battle with substance abuse, which led to multiple suspensions.
And Charles Harris was the last time the Dolphins selected a defensive end in the draft’s first four rounds. The 2017 first-round pick was a linebacker at Missouri who has failed to become a traditional defensive end in the NFL, contributing just 3.5 sacks in three seasons before being traded to the Falcons after last year’s draft.
Miami selected Andrew Van Ginkel in the fifth round of the 2019 draft, and the outside linebacker from Wisconsin had a solid second season, contributing 48 tackles, 5.5 sacks and forcing three fumbles in his 480 defensive snaps. And Miami also used 2020 fifth-round pick on North Carolina defensive end Jason Strowbridge, and hope his development helps him contribute more in his second season.
Grier’s confident Miami’s player development program will help address the team’s shortfall on the edges.
“We have great confidence that this coaching staff has shown that they can develop players and get the best out of them. And so that’s the exciting part of it. Listening to them and watching those guys coach. The details of [coach] Brian [Flores] and his staff is what makes it fun here. And the players know that. And they appreciate it,” Grier said.
“Finding the right kind of guys that love to work is very important because we know those players can get even better.”