Three players on defense were among the seven players selected in the Miami Dolphins’ 2024 draft class.
This is a brief assessment of the Dolphins’ defensive position following the initial wave of free agency, the draft picks of safety Patrick McMorris and edge rushers Chop Robinson and Mohamed Kamara.
It should be noted that undrafted rookie free agents are not included in this breakdown since their signings often don’t become official until the eve of rookie minicamp, which takes place this year from May 10–11.
Zach Sieler, Da’Shawn Hand, Brandon Pili, Teair Tart, Benito Jones, Neville Gallimore, Jonathan Harris, Isaiah Mack, and Daviyon Nixon are the players on the roster (nine).
Predicted starts for the first game: Teair Tart and Zach Sieler
Analysis: Considering that the Dolphins re-signed Hand and added five new players in the offseason, was it really that stunning that they did not choose a pure defensive lineman this year? The Dolphins don’t currently have a player on the roster who is even very close to Christian Wilkins, but beyond the top two prospects at the position in the draft—Byron Murphy II and Jer’Zhan Newton—that player was just not available.
.. The Dolphins want to split out playing time far more in 2024 than they did in 2023, when Sieler and Wilkins accounted for the majority of the snaps. It is certainly possible to add a veteran here, and Calais Campbell seems like the most obvious choice.The players on the roster are as follows: Mohamed Kamara, Chop Robinson, Jaelan Phillips, Bradley Chubb, Cameron Goode, Shaquil Barrett, Zeke Vandenburgh, and Cam Brown.
Predicted first-day starter(s): Jaelan Phillips, Shaquil Barrett
Breakdown: Almost all of this has to be examined in light of Phillips’ and Chubb’s respective health conditions.
We may start with the draft and the signings of Robinson and Kamara, which could be helpful this season in the event that Chubb and/or Phillips struggle to recover from their significant injuries that ended their 2023 season. And as you saw, our best estimate at this point is that one of the two will be ready for the start of the regular season. Then there’s the matter of precisely who will be ready. It would seem the Dolphins are done with moves after signing Barrett and selecting Robinson and Kamara. Naturally, though, you never say never.
It’s unclear to what extent the Dolphins will need to rely on these two draft selections, but Robinson ought to be able to help as a pass rusher at the very least. The victor of a Robinson-Kamara camp brawl may end up starting if Phillips and Chubb are both out at the beginning of the regular season.
David Long Jr., Jordyn Brooks, Anthony Walker Jr., Duke Riley, and Channing Tindall are the five players on the roster.
Predicted starting for the first game: Jordyn Brooks and David Long Jr.
Breakdown: The Dolphins, with the possible exception of tight end, worked better at this position during the summer than they likely did anyplace else on the team.
The depth in this lineup has improved with the inclusion of two veteran starters, Walker and Brooks, and Brooks has an opportunity to surpass Baker due to his faster speed. One thing remains to be determined: can wide receiver Josh Tindall, the first choice of the Dolphins in the 2022 NFL Draft, be able to make the 53-man roster? Even while any addition is welcome, it doesn’t seem like this is a position that need another veteran.
[Jalen Ramsey, Kendall Fuller, Nik Needham, Kader Kohou, Cam Smith, Ethan Bonner, Siran Neal] are the seven players on the roster.
Predicted starter(s) for the first game: Kendall Fuller, Kader Kohou, and Jalen Ramsey
Breakdown: Smith was taken in the second round of last year’s selection, despite though he hardly played defense. This may be why the Dolphins decided not to address his position in the draft. The reason for having three starts in our expected lineup is that the Dolphins are expected to utilize the nickel position frequently, and Kohou is expected to dethrone Needham in that capacity. It wouldn’t be shocking to see the Dolphins re-sign Eli Apple or add one or two veterans to this position. Other names to keep an eye on are Stephon Gilmore and Steven Nelson.
Four players are on the roster: Patrick McMorris, Elijah Campbell, Jordan Poyer, and Jevon Holland.
Predicted starts for the first game: Jordan Poyer and Jevon Holland
Breakdown: Obviously, the fact that there are so few guys on the roster at this position—especially with Campbell mixing in as a safety and cornerback—stands out. Although Poyer just turned 33 and saw a decline in play in 2023, the Dolphins should temper their expectations as he has the potential to be a strong offseason addition.
It also explains why, among defensive positions, safety is the only one where a seasoned addition is anticipated in the upcoming weeks. Many well-known free agents are available — Jamal Adams, Justin Simmons, Eddie Jackson, Quandre Diggs, Micah Hyde, to mention five — but any of them will require a fair offer. Here, Simmons is unquestionably the greatest of the lot. If McMorris is able to secure a spot on the 53-man roster, he will probably spend the most of his playing time as a rookie on special teams.