The Miami Dolphins shipped out numerous players over the course of the past year, so much so that the roster that Miami entered the 2019 season with was two-thirds new players. That turnover, in many instances, was necessary in order for a successful rebuild, even if that meant a downgrade for 2019 on the field.
But how are these former Dolphins defenders faring in life with a new team in 2019? Many are finding more team success, but are those wins coming at the hands of their own performances?
DE Cameron Wake, Tennessee Titans
Wake exploded in Week 1 against the Cleveland Browns for 2.5 sacks, putting him over the edge of 100 career sacks in the NFL. In the time since, Wake hasn’t gotten back to the quarterback. Currently on injured reserve with a knee injury, Wake’s impact on the Titans was diminished by youthful pass rushers like Harold Landry. Wake undoubtedly provides a valuable leadership role in the Titans locker room and his mentorship has helped Landry double his rookie sack total with three games left to play.
DE Robert Quinn, Dallas Cowboys
The Dolphins paid down the 2019 salary of Robert Quinn to make him a tradable asset this spring. Miami ate a seven figure roster bonus after the first few days of the start of the league calendar in order to ship him to Dallas for a late round draft pick, and Quinn has obliged by rolling up 9.5 sacks thus far on the season.
It isn’t all good news for the Cowboys, as the team is currently mired in a meltdown that will likely see head coach Jason Garrett lose his job at the end of the year. Quinn has thrived across from star pass rusher Demarcus Lawrence and looks to be more explosive than he was in his one year in Miami. At 29-years old, Quinn may have captured his second wind — but his cost was going to be hard to justify for the Dolphins this season.
LB Kiko Alonso, New Orleans Saints
The Dolphins swapped Alonso for Vince Biegel at the beginning of the season and it could be argued that the Dolphins won out on this deal as the first year comes to a close. Alonso has played sparingly in New Orleans, starting three games this season and logging 31 total tackles through Week 14.
Biegel? He’s been a steady presence for the Dolphins on the edge against both the run and the pass, leading the team in QB hits with 11.
Alonso missed Week 14 with a thigh injury but is expected to be ready to contribute as the Saints make a postseason push into January.
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