Brian Flores’ defense has plenty of potential, we can all agree to that. But what we saw in Week 11 against the Buffalo Bills serves as the sober reminder that while the team is capable of good performances, this roster isn’t where it needs to be in order for the defense to be effective on a weekly basis. Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen tore the Dolphins apart — rarely pressures, hardly bothered and able to run freely into the second level when he decided it was time to run.
And for all the strong spots the Dolphins have established, this past game serves Miami a clear blueprint on where they need to get better. The Dolphins defense is strong up the middle. Davon Godchaux, Christian Wilkins, Jerome Baker and Raekwon McMillan are a great interior group. The edges of this defense? That’s where the focus needs to be this offseason. That’s where the investments need to come.
Miami has gotten admirable contributions from the likes of Taco Charlton, Vince Biegel, Nik Needham, Stephen Parker and others — but both positions need a massive influx of talent: including fresh starters all around.
Defensive end and cornerback are where Miami should (and probably will) pour significant investments into the defense — Miami’s aggressive defense won’t do you any good if you don’t have the defenders to consistently play man coverage or show the explosiveness to get home off the edge.
Vince Biegel? He’s a terrific early down option and in a perfect world, a rotational defender who brings energy and can help set the line against the run. But on 3rd and 15, Biegel isn’t a player who has the ideal level of juice in his first step to stress tackles and get quarterbacks off their spot.
Taco Charlton? He’s been more opportunistic than effective — granted, that in itself is a gift. But he’s also ideally a depth option, not a starter.
The Dolphins cornerbacks will be aided by the return of Xavien Howard next season, but Miami will still need two or three additional cornerbacks before this position group is where it needs to be from a talent perspective so that players like Needham are proportionately aligned on the depth chart with their potential and ceiling.
If the Dolphins want to fix this defense in an offseason, that’s where the investments need to go. Thankfully, it is a great year to need both positions. But Miami must find the balance between properly investing there and helping to build out the offense — which will not be an easy task.
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