The Miami Dolphins 2024 Offseason Personnel Carousel on Defense

The Miami Dolphins have had two consecutive disappointing playoff runs. In the 2023 season, they fell to the eventual champions in a blowout in negative temperatures, allowing over 400 yards on defense. After moving on from their defensive coordinator Vic Fangio and hiring a new mind from the Baltimore Ravens in Anthony Weaver, the Miami Dolphins executed quite a large personnel overhaul on the defensive side of the ball.

After their disappointing 26-7 loss in the wildcard round vs the Kansas City Chiefs, the Miami Dolphins began an overhaul on defense. Shortly into the offseason, they released Super Bowl champion defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah, All-Pro corner Xavien Howard, starting linebacker Jerome Baker, and cornerback Keion Crossen.

As well as these releases, the Miami Dolphins let multiple free agents walk. These include superstar defensive tackle Christian Wilkins, young safety Brandon Jones, and reliable linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel.

Xavien Howard earned many honors as a member of the Miami Dolphins. The second-round draft pick in 2016 led the league in interceptions twice, tallying two All-Pros and four Pro-Bowls in his respectable career. Howard solidified his position as a top cornerback in the NFL during his time with the Miami Dolphins. However, over his last two seasons, Xavien Howard began to decline on the field with 58.4 and 55.1 pro football focus grades over the last two years.

Christian Wilkins was drafted in 2019 to the Miami Dolphins out of Clemson. The 6’4 310-pound defensive tackle has solidified himself as a top-tier trench player in the NFL. Coming off the best season of his career, marking nine sacks and 23 QB hits, Wilkins has been consistent in stuffing the run and getting to the quarterback in the key position. Over the last three seasons, Wilkins has yet to miss a game. Proving himself as not only elite but more importantly available.

Linebackers Jerome Baker and Andrew Van Ginkel were key pieces of the Miami Dolphins last season. Both players played over 700 snaps for the Phins in 2023. In his six-year career, Jerome Baker has portrayed high productivity for the Dolphins with over 22 sacks and five interceptions. Andrew Van Ginkel, drafted in 2019, had one of the most productive seasons of his career, with an impressive 55 QB pressures and a 17.7% pressure rate. In weeks 13-18, Ginkel was number 4 in the NFL in pressure rate.

The Miami Dolphins made it clear with these off-season moves that an overhaul of the defense was in order.

When a chunk of players move on from a franchise, you can expect another batch to take their place. The Miami Dolphins are no different. The Dolphins were very active in free agency, bringing in former All-Pro Jordan Poyer, underrated linebackers Jordyn Brooks and Anthony Walker Jr, two-time Super Bowl champion Shaquill Barrett, and depth cornerback Siran Neal.

Jordan Poyer is a star safety in the NFL by way of the Buffalo Bills. Poyer was a 2013 seventh-round pick by the Philadelphia Eagles. After a tenure with the Browns, he arrived in Buffalo and set himself apart from many defensive backs. In 16 of 2023 games, he notched over 100 tackles. Through the 2021-22 season, he had the lowest allowed passer rating as the nearest defender out of everybody in the NFL.  In 2022 he premiered at number 45 in the NFL’s top 100 players list, in ’23 he stayed in the top 60 at #57. Recognized all around the league as one of the best safeties in the world.

Jordyn Brooks is one of the league’s best tacklers. Drafted in 2020 by the Seattle Seahawks, since his drafting Brooks has been number nine in the league in tackles. Anthony Walker Jr has been overlooked on an impressive Cleveland Browns defense. Over the past two seasons, Walker has marked an 85.9 pass coverage grade good for third among all off-ball linebackers.

Shaquill Barrett has tallied 400 tackles and 59 sacks in the NFL. On the two teams he has played for, the Denver Broncos and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Shaq Barrett has found both personal and team success winning a Super Bowl with both. The Dolphins hope to bring his championship pedigree to increase their chances of a ring.

The Miami Dolphins have completely overhauled their defense, whether or not these changes will bring them a newfound success in the postseason remains to be seen.