How the Miami Dolphins can win the AFC East in 2020

2. Find a consistent pass rush

Miami’s defense has been a sore spot for the franchise for any number of years. It’s not as if the club hasn’t spent money in free agency or addressed the various needs via the NFL draft. But the club has swung and missed far too many times on both fronts. So in 2019, enter new head coach Brian Flores, who brought quite the defensive pedigree from the New England Patriots.

Even though the team prevailed in five of its last nine outings a season ago, the defensive problems were still evident. The Dolphins permitted a league-high 494 points and surrendered a whopping 54 offensive touchdowns. That included 39 scores through the air, some of that due to the fact that the team managed an NFL-low 23 sacks.

But there is hope. Ben Linsey of Pro Football Focus (subscription required) states that the club boasts the most improved pass rush in the NFL come 2020. In free agency, Miami added ends Shaq Lawson (Bills) and Emmanuel Ogbah (Chiefs) and versatile linebacker Kyle Van Noy, the latter who was with Flores in Foxborough.

In April’s draft, the Dolphins added to the front seven via defensive tackle Raekwon Davis (2b-Alabama) and potential edge performers Jason Strowbridge (5-North Carolina) and Curtis Weaver (5b-Boise State). Now can these newcomers fortify a front-seven that includes incumbents Christian Wilkins and Davon Godchaux?