As the 2020 free agency and draft swiftly approach, we usher in a new decade of Miami Dolphins football. While we all anticipate more success in this coming era of the team — something unseen with consistency for far too long — it can be fun to reflect on the last ten years of the team and see what the squad would look like had it been assembled with the best players at their respective positions from 2010 through 2019.
24 offensive players. 26 Defensive players. Three specialists.
Yesterday’s offensive grouping was, well, not ideal. Let’s see if things go any better by tracking the best 26 defensive players to round out the roster, effectively putting a bow on the last ten years of Miami mediocrity.
Defensive Tackle (5)
Ndamukong Suh, Paul Soliai, Jordan Phillips, Davon Godchaux, Christian Wilkins
Anyone could get excited about this combination of interior big boys. Can you even imagine Brian Flores drawing up plays that feature big Paul Soliai in his prime eating up blocks next to the sturdy Davon Godchaux; while Suh penetrates from any position and the linebackers had more freedom to do mop up duty? Pair that with a motivated Jordan Phillips and energizing rookie Christian Wilkins, and this is a diverse group of defensive lineman.
Defensive End (4)
Jason Taylor, Cameron Wake, Olivier Vernon, Randy Starks
While you would ideally like more than four defensive ends on the 53-man roster — especially when one of the ends is billed as a 3-4 end/DT at 305lbs (Randy Starks) — the defensive line was allotted nine total players, and the 5th best DT was more worthy than the 5th best defensive end. That being said, any list that boasts Jason Taylor and Cameron Wake is a good list.
We Dolphins faithful will forgive and forget Jason Taylor and his gold jacket for his one year with the Jets. Much like Ricky and Ronnie in the offensive edition of the All-2010 roster, Taylor was only in Miami for one season from 2010-2019 (2011). Still, he was a first ballot Hall of Fame player for a reason. The guy was special.
Cameron Wake, for many, embodied all that was good with the Miami Dolphins for the past decade. In the midst of all the ineptitude of the franchise was this monstrous CFL transfer who regularly made Tom Brady’s life a living hell. Instant fan favorite. Olivier Vernon was a tremendous compliment to Wake for a few years. Randy Starks was a bad man; a complete 3-4 end who could shut down the run along with collapse the pocket.
Linebacker (7)
Channing Crowder, Karlos Dansby, Kevin Burnett, Koa Misi, Kiko Alonso, Raekwon McMillan, Jerome Baker
While his time in Miami was contentious, Karlos Dansby was a good linebacker. 20 interceptions. 20 forced fumbles. 43 sacks. Six touchdowns. Unfortunately for the Dolphins, not many of those accolades came during his three seasons with the team. But hey! You can’t fault the guy for saying yes to Jeff Ireland throwing money at him despite his miscast role with the aqua and orange.
Crowder, Burnett, and Misi were classic “thumpers.” Couple them with the best version of Kiko Alonso and the youthful, athletic exuberance of Jerome Baker and Raekwon McMillan and this linebacker core checks a lot of boxes.
Cornerbacks (6)
Sean Smith, Vontae Davis, Brent Grimes, Bobby McCain, Xavien Howard, Eric Rowe
How can we get the best of each of these corners on the field at the same time? A healthy, dialed-in Howard is the best corner Miami has had this decade. That’s irrefutable. Smith and Davis took their lumps as they grew together as rookies, and while they didn’t put it all together, they both were talented young players. Brent Grimes was like watching a trapeze artist swing through the air. McCain and Rowe offer versatility, but both are technicians specifically in the slot. Prefer them at safety? Perhaps…
Safety (4)
Reshad Jones, Minkah Fitzpatrick, Yeremiah Bell, Walt Aikens
Jones has been a shell of his former self for a while now. That being said, when the dust settles, he may be a Ring of Honor nominee. For the sake of this exercise and keeping him happy in the short-term, we’ll peg Minkah as a safety, even though he played corner for his one full season in Miami. His instincts and range on the back-end would have been a welcomed addition to pair with Reshad Jones in his prime. Yeremiah Bell held down the position before Jones’ arrival to Miami, and he provides steady depth and a veteran presence on the back end. Walt Aikens brings leadership as a special teams ace.
26 defenders to pair with 24 offensive players and three specialists. Did the defense move the needle off the perennial 8-8?
Meanwhile, cheers to a new decade; one where Dolphins fans everywhere can refill their cups with hope and optimism as we close the book on the 2010’s and turn to a blank page that is the 2020’s.