The Miami Dolphins are looking to ascend to that next level in 2023. After being a playoff team last season, they’re hoping to break into the ranks of the contenders. Keeping quarterback Tua Tagovailoa will be important to attaining that goal.
The Dolphins were one of the best teams in the NFL when Tagovailoa was healthy in 2022, but head injuries derailed his season. Looking to take pressure off of him this season, the Dolphins made a concerted effort to upgrade the rest of the roster.
Defensively is where they needed an upgrade the most. Miami ranked 24th in points allowed and 18th in yardage. They were especially poor against the pass, ranking 27th in yardage allowed. As a whole, the defense struggled to make plays and create turnovers as well.
Looking to turn things around this year, the Dolphins made some big additions during the offseason. Linebacker David Long Jr. was signed away from the Tennessee Titans and star cornerback Jalen Ramsey was acquired from the Los Angeles Rams in a trade.
While Ramsey is going to start the season sidelined because of a knee injury, Miami is hopeful they have enough to hang with the big boys in the AFC. But, it certainly wouldn’t hurt to continue upgrading that side of the ball if the opportunity presented itself.
Alex Sabri of ClutchPoints suggested that the Dolphins go after veteran pass rusher Jerry Hughes of the Houston Texans. Referencing a quote that defensive coordinator Vic Fangio made this offseason, it makes sense as to why Sabri made the suggestion of going after Hughes.
“We’re happy with Zach [Sieler], Christian [Wilkins] and Raekwon [Davis],” Fangio said in early August, via Miami Herald Dolphins beat reporter Daniel Oyefusi and sports columnist Barry Jackson. “We need to find two other guys, three other guys, to surface as the fourth, fifth, and sixth defensive linemen, and so far nobody has done that. So that’s an area that we need to get better at.”
Hughes is an established pass rusher that can still pressure the quarterback even at 35 years old. Last season he had 9.0 sacks with the Texans, who are in a clear rebuild and would likely accept any draft compensation they can get for Hughes, who isn’t part of their long-term plans.
Adding him to the mix in Miami would give the Dolphins another option at pass rusher with Jaelan Phillips and Bradley Chubb. Getting after the quarterback is key to successful teams and Hughes would certainly help in that area.
