What’s the rush?
Dolphins need to decide which of their picks will be used to find a talented edge rusher
The Miami Dolphins have glaring offensive needs for a standout pass catcher and workhorse running back, but their most apparent need on the roster this offseason might be edge rusher.
One year after acquiring defensive end Shaq Lawson and outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy in free agency, the Dolphins decided to part ways with both players who were major contributors to the team’s defensive success during their 10-6 season in 2020.
The Dolphins enter the 2021 NFL draft with plenty of edge rushing options to consider — especially with four picks inside the top 50 when the draft begins next Thursday.
Edge rushers like Miami duo Jaelan Phillips and Gregory Rousseau, Michigan’s Kwity Paye, Georgia’s Azeez Ojulari, Texas standout Joseph Ossai and Penn State’s Jayson Oweh could all be first-round talents.
And there are several other defensive line standouts like Alabama defensive tackle Christian Barmore, Washington defensive tackle Levin Onwuzurike, Wake Forest’s Carlos Basham Jr., and Miami’s Quincy Roche who could hear their names called relatively early in the draft.
It’s just up to the Dolphins to decide whether one of these standouts are worth the No. 18 pick in the first round, the No. 36 pick in the second round, or a later pick.
Looking at the players who line up on or near the defensive line, returning to the Dolphins in 2021:
Defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah had a career year in his first season with the Dolphins, leading Miami with nine sacks and three fumbles forced, which led to two defensive touchdowns last season.
Ogbah will enter the final year of his two-year, $15 million deal, looking to provide the same defensive impact than last season.
Outside linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel will enter his third NFL season after a breakout campaign, where he had 5.5 sacks, seven tackles for loss, 10 quarterback hits, three forced fumbles and a fumble returned for a touchdown.
Van Ginkel could likely see a reduction in his team-leading snaps on special teams and play more defensive snaps with Van Noy and Lawson no longer with the team.
Outside linebackers Vince Biegel, who has recovered from a partial Achilles tendon tear, and Brennan Scarlett, acquired from the Houston Texans, will also provide depth and valuable snaps as edge rushers.
Defensive tackles Christian Wilkins, Raekwon Davis and Zach Sieler will welcome two new veterans to their rotation in Adam Butler and John Jenkins. Benito Jones also returns from his stint on the team and practice squad last season.
The Dolphins also hope to uncover some potential from a group of young defensive linemen like 2020 first-round pick Jason Strowbridge, former Auburn defensive end Nick Coe, former Georgia defensive end Jonathan Ledbetter, and former