Dolphins Expected To Target Defensive Ends

The Dolphins are expected to cut ties with Mario Williams and Dion Jordan in the near future, and as such, defensive end is expected to be the club’s “highest priority” this offseason, one source told Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald. Indeed, head coach Adam Gase has reportedly told associates that he expects Miami’s draft to focus almost entirely on the defensive side of the ball, per Salguero.Adam Gase (Vertical)

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With Williams and Jordan gone, the Dolphins’ depth chart at defensive end will be comprised of only two players, Cameron Wake and Terrence Fede, the latter of whom saw less than 200 snaps in 2016. Miami is said to be prioritizing a new deal for free agent Andre Branch, but it’s possible that he’ll find a better contract on the open market. The Dolphins, then, could look not only to the draft (where they hold the 22nd overall pick), but to free agency and/or the trade market in order to acquire new edge defenders.

Miami, which ranks in the middle of the pack with nearly $30MM in cap space, ranked just 22nd in DVOA and 31st in adjusted sack rate last season. I recently identified several potential defensive line targets for the Dolphins when assessing the club’s top offseason needs.

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