Miami Dolphins: Early 2018 starting lineup projections, defense

With voluntary OTAs under way it’s time to start looking at the Miami Dolphins roster and starters for the 2018 season, now turning to the defense.

There has been a clear youth movement on the Miami Dolphins defense. This squad will look very different this season and should be one of the youngest groups in the entire NFL. Infused with an abundance of players still on their rookie contract, the team will hope to fix the woes of recent seasons.

This group could truly go either way. If things fall in place they could have one of the better defenses in the league particularly their secondary. On the flip side of the that, if these young players don’t develop or pan out as expected things could go left in a hurry. I’m more on the optimistic side with this — however, I have been wrong before.

With so much up in the air, it will be fun to predict who will win a starting job over the summer.

Defensive Line

Cam Wake, Davon Godchaux, Jordan Phillips, Charles Harris

This is an extremely deep group and not one of these players is locked into major snaps, perhaps with the exception of Phillips. Wake is in the twilight of his career and Harris has yet to truly prove himself. Sitting right behind them at defensive end are Robert Quinn, Andre Branch and William Hayes.

Expect Wake to start, but Quinn to see more snaps at end. Hayes will be moved inside and out as a very underrated and versatile lineman. Branch may be the odd man out in this group unless he quickly turns things around.

I fully expect Phillips to earn a starting spot. However, Godchaux will have to fend off the recently acquired Akeem Spence, and Vincent Taylor could also be in the mix. Again, Hayes will see snaps as tackle as well.

Once Ndamukong Suh’s money comes off the books June 1, I expect the team could bolster this position a but more by adding another more proven commodity. It could depend on what the coaches see in OTAs.