Acquisition of veteran defensive end Hayes paying off,
Defensive end has had ‘tremendous impact’ on line.
DAVIE — The compliments are effusive and consistent.
Player after player, coach after coach.
They can’t say enough about Miami Dolphins veteran defensive lineman William Hayes.
“He’s been one of the most impressive players I’ve ever been around,” coach Adam Gase says.
“He’s a hardcore dude,” defensive coordinator Matt Burke says.
“Tremendous impact,” defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh says.
It flew a bit under the NFL radar, but on March 10, the Dolphins sent a sixth-round pick (206th overall) to the Los Angeles Rams for Hayes and a seventh-round pick in the 2017 draft (223rd overall).
The Dolphins moved down to 237 in a swap with Tampa Bay, and selected wide out Isaiah Ford of Virginia Tech, who is on injured reserve. Miami also picked up another seventh rounder in the 2018 draft in that deal.
But that’s far less relevant than this — for essentially nothing, Miami picked up one of the best run-stopping defensive ends in the NFL, a player who can also pass rush at defensive end or defensive tackle.
“Us younger guys see how tough he is,” said rookie defensive tackle Vincent Taylor.
“That’s a good trade. I’m happy he’s on our team.”
The Dolphins drafted Taylor in the sixth round this year and he has exceeded expectations.
But Hayes?
A total beast.
According to Pro Football Focus, Hayes is the 18th-best edge rusher in the NFL, and the fifth-best run-defending edge rusher in the league.
“When you put him on the field, you’re getting everything he has,” Gase says. “His work ethic, the way he is in the building — everybody respects him. He’s not afraid to speak up, I think when he talks, everybody listens. He’s made some big, big plays for us this year.”
The Rams were bringing in a new coaching staff with a new defensive scheme and Hayes had played for firstyear Dolphins assistant Frank Bush with the Rams, as well as first-year defensive coordinator Burke with the Titans.
Miami was thrilled to scoop up Hayes, a 6-foot3, 278-pound veteran of 10 NFL seasons.
The Dolphins agreed to allow Hayes’ contract to be reduced from two years to one and now it seems keeping Hayes (who has said he’d love to stay longer) should be priority moving forward.
“We complement each other so well,” defensive end Cameron Wake says.
Hayes has been so dominant, so physical and so impressive, it got us wondering:
How would the trade for Hayes rank among the other players Miami’s acquired in the past 20 years?
Here’s one swing at the best:
1. RB Ricky Williams, 2002 (acquired from the Saints with a fourth-round pick for two first-round picks and a fourth-round pick). Williams topped 1,000 yards three times, including 1,853 yards and 16 touchdowns in 2002.
He did miss 2004 and ’06 due to retirement and a league suspension.
2. RB Reggie Bush, 2011 (acquired from the Saints with a sixth-round pick for Jonathon Amaya and a sixthround pick). Bush ran for 1,086 yards and caught 43 passes in 2011. The next season, Bush ran for 986 yards with 35 receptions.
3. LB Kiko Alonso, 2016 (acquired from the Eagles with Byron Maxwell and the 13th overall pick for the eighth overall pick). Alonso was rewarded with a longterm deal because he brought a much-needed speed boost to Miami’s linebacker corps.
Maxwell was a key contributor last season, though he’s lost his job this season.
4. DE William Hayes, 2017 (acquired from the Rams with a seventh-round pick for a sixth-round pick). We get it. It’s only five Dolphins games, with one sack and nine tackles. But his impact as a veteran leader and run-defender and overall contributor already seems immeasurable.
To pick Hayes up for virtually nothing is an absolute coup.
5. WR Kenny Stills, 2015 (acquired from the Saints for Dannell Ellerbee and a third-round pick). Stills was rewarded with a longterm contract because Gase admires his ability to score touchdowns, particularly long scores.
Interesting that the Dolphins have gotten the better end of three big deals with the Saints over 14 years.
6. WR Brandon Marshall, 2010 (acquired from the Broncos for two second-round picks). Marshall had 1,014 yards in 2010 and 1,214 yards in 2011, continuing his track as one of the best receivers in the NFL.
The Dolphins traded him to the Bears just two years later for two third-round draft choices. Despite his talents, there were drops and a roller-coaster of emotions.
7. LB Junior Seau, 2003 (acquired from the Chargers for a fifth-round pick). Seau started 15 games and posted 66 tackles and three sacks in 2003 and played in 15 games over two more seasons, before wrapping up his career with four seasons in New England.