Xavien Howard. Jesse Davis. Allen Hurns. Jakeem Grant. Eric Rowe. DeVante Parker. While everyone was too busy freaking out about the Dolphins trading players away this season, the Dolphins themselves have been busy identifying which pieces on their rebuild roster are viable long-term assets to the team — and have been acting accordingly to lock them into place on longer contracts. Each of the previously mentioned players has received a contract extension from the Dolphins in the past six months.
And the Dolphins probably aren’t done inking contract extensions, either. But who would be the next logical addition to the updated payroll? The Dolphins have several options. The team could opt to extend one of their many new additions, such as Vince Biegel. Heck, they would be wise to. But that isn’t an overly pressing issue for Miami, given Biegel’s status as a restricted free agent and his lack of ceiling.
Rather, two members of the 2017 NFL Draft class for Miami loom large and critical contributors to the Dolphins and both should be considered “next” in line for a new contract.
The first is Dolphins linebacker Raekwon McMillan. The former Ohio State linebacker had a bit of a shaky start to life under Brian Flores and company this summer and at one point appeared to have his starting role in jeopardy. That’s sorted itself out quite nicely as McMillan has commandeered the Dolphins’ run defense and is playing arguably his best pro ball to date. McMillan, a 2nd-round draft selection in 2020, is entering a contract year next season. He currently acts as one of the more consistent run defending linebackers in the league and although his raw statistics are down from last year’s 105 tackle pace, McMillan is a stud in the middle.
The other is another Dolphins defender — defensive tackle Davon Godchaux. Godchaux, who is serving as Miami’s nominee for the Walter Payton Man of the Year award in 2019, is enjoying a career year. Through 13 games, Godchaux has totaled 60 tackles, 1.5 sacks and 6 quarterback hits — all career highs. Only Pittsburgh’s Cameron Heyward (a two-time Pro Bowler), has more combined tackles among defensive tackles through 13 games this season.
If the Dolphins want to lock in more critical players of the future, the middle of their defense is the next place to look.
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