The Miami Dolphins’ heavy investment in fortifying their pass rush has begun to yield impressive returns in the 2023 NFL season. Jaelan Phillips, who entered the league as a first-round selection in the 2021 NFL Draft, showcased his prowess with six sacks over a five-game hot streak. Furthermore, Bradley Chubb, who joined the Dolphins as part of a high-profile trade in 2022, dominated with 11 sacks and notched six forced fumbles, leading the league in that category.
However, the Dolphins faced a significant setback when both Phillips and Chubb endured major injuries; Phillips with an Achilles tear and Chubb with an ACL tear. These injuries significantly depleted Miami’s defensive capabilities as the season progressed.
In response to these losses, Dolphins’ General Manager Chris Grier was proactive during the offseason. He made a key acquisition by signing free agent Shaquil Barrett and bolstered the squad further by drafting Chop Robinson in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft.
With these strategic moves, a pertinent question arose: Is Miami’s revamped pass rush now among the NFL’s elite units? ESPN’s Mike Clay provided some clarity, applying a specialized formula to grade and rank each team’s position groups ahead of the 2024 season, shining a light on the effectiveness of the Dolphins’ recent personnel strategies.