Dolphins have young potential on D-line, could target edge rushers in draft

Miami’s new management then found a pair of upstart, economical options in free agency before the draft in Josh Uche and David Ojabo.

Uche, a former Miami Columbus High standout, has the pass-rush potential in him, once posting 11 1/2 sacks in 2022 for the New England Patriots. He has since been with the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles, struggling to find playing time in crowded edge rusher groups, but he now figures to get more chances back home with the Dolphins.

Ojabo gets a fresh start and opportunity in Miami after he was a highly sought-after player in his draft before he tore his Achilles at his pro day at Michigan. Still selected in the second round that year, he only collected 4 1/2 sacks with the Baltimore Ravens in four seasons.

The Dolphins could likely add to that group with one of their two first-round picks, at No. 11 or 30. The Miami Hurricanes’ Rueben Bain, one of the draft’s more polarizing prospects, could be an option with the first choice if he slips out of the top 10. The Dolphins’ late first-rounder, acquired from the Denver Broncos in the Jaylen Waddle trade, could see players like Missouri’s Zion Young, Auburn’s Keldric Faulk or UM’s Akheem Mesidor among options.

The Dolphins’ defensive line is more established with its own returning talent. Sieler, the longest-tenured player on the roster, can lead the 2025 team’s youth. After back-to-back 10-sack seasons in 2023 and 2024, he dipped down to producing 5 1/2 sacks last season and didn’t make as much of a consistent impact.

Grant, a 6-foot-3, 335-pound interior defensive lineman who can be athletic at his size, went through some rookie struggles and also some flashes. He had 33 tackles with two sacks as he played every game and made five starts.

Leaving his fingerprints more on the Dolphins’ strength up front was Jordan Phillips, who started 16 games as a fifth-round pick. He looks to build on his success after making 34 tackles as a rookie and playing strong against the run at 305 pounds.

Biggers, a seventh-round selection, appeared in nine games with most of his highlights coming in the second half of the year. He had 1 1/2 sacks, made 20 tackles and blocked a field goal, something he was known for in college at Georgia Tech.

Back on the edge, the Dolphins brought back outside linebacker and key special teams contributor Cameron Goode, who can try to continue to build his abilities on defense. Former San Francisco 49ers defensive end Robert Beal was signed as an outside free agent as another player looking for more defensive reps.

Defensive tackle Matthew Butler was brought back after playing as a rotational defender on the line last season and collecting 12 tackles.

Other defensive lineman on the roster vying for roster spots are Alex Huntley and Keith Cooper Jr. And at edge, Miami also has Derrick McLendon, who tries to build on last preseason’s success, and Seth Coleman.