MIAMI GARDENS \u2014 The golden rule for the Miami Dolphins regarding last year\u2019s draft class is simple: don\u2019t assume improvement, especially on the defensive line.<\/p>\n
We\u2019ll see whether this new regime of general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan and coach Jeff Hafley adhere to that tenet as they build their team during the offseason<\/a>.<\/p>\n In my view,\u00a0Sullivan and Hafley<\/a> should be willing to re-draft any position taken in last year\u2019s draft in this year\u2019s first three rounds \u2014 defensive tackle, guard, cornerback, safety and quarterback<\/a> \u2014 except running back.<\/p>\n The thinking is two-fold. You can\u2019t have too much talent at most of those positions, and you don\u2019t have nearly enough talent at any of those positions.<\/p>\n The Dolphins had a decent, although not necessarily strong 2025 draft class despite the fact all seven draftees got playing time last season, and five made at least one start.<\/p>\n None of those rookies seems on a path toward stardom or even a Pro Bowl.<\/p>\n In light of that, my main target for offseason improvement would be the defensive line. It\u2019s a talent-starved, game-changing area. The defensive line, and I\u2019m counting edge rushers in that group, might have been the most disappointing unit on last year\u2019s team after quarterback.<\/p>\n I fully realize that in the past two years the Dolphins have used four drafts picks on the defensive line, including two first-rounders with edge rusher Chop Robinson, the 2024 first-round pick, and tackle Kenneth Grant, the 2025 first-round pick, and also including tackles Jordan Phillips (fifth round, 2025) and Zeek Biggers (seventh round, 2025). None is good enough.<\/p>\n In addition, defensive tackle Zach Sieler was awarded a three-year, $64 million contract extension in August. He wasn\u2019t good enough last season, and he\u2019ll be 31 years old next season.<\/p>\n Worse, the Dolphins\u2019 defensive line enters the offseason as a major concern.\u00a0<\/p>\n But all of that happened under the old regime.<\/p>\n You\u2019d like to think the new regime will do a better job of selecting talent at the same position. Perhaps, for example, Sullivan and Hafley would have drafted Pittsburgh defensive tackle Derrick Harmon instead of Grant. You get the idea.<\/p>\n We\u2019ve seen the rising importance of defense for the past two years with the Seattle Seahawks and Philadelphia Eagles winning Super Bowls with defensive-minded teams. Here\u2019s something else to consider, both of the Super Bowl runners-up for the past two years, the New England Patriots and Philadelphia, were led by defense, too. It\u2019s true.<\/p>\n Pay attention. Get past the marketing\/quarterback talk that dominates TV, radio and podcasts (no blame here, fans generally don\u2019t want to hear about gap responsibility or the wide 9).\u00a0<\/p>\n