Here are some Dolphins doing some of their best work, under the radar, in this win streak
The Miami Dolphins’ stretch of inspired defense has featured excellent work from Pro Bowl cornerback Xavien Howard and Emmanuel Ogbah, improved play from linebacker Jerome Baker, brilliant blitzing from Brandon Jones (before his recent injury) and encouraging growth from rookies Jaelan Phillips and Jevon Holland.
But don’t overlook the play of several veterans who have made significant jumps during this win streak — Andrew Van Ginkel, Raekwon Davis and Justin Coleman. And even before the winning streak, Christian Wilkins has taken the step from pretty good NFL starter to a really good one.
The Dolphins don’t always agree with metrics sites, but the team wouldn’t dispute Wilkins’ high ranking in Pro Football Focus’ grading system. PFF rates Wilkins sixth best among all interior defensive linemen this season.
Asked if he has improved significantly this season, defensive line coach Austin Clark said: “I would definitely agree with that. He’s done a great job.”
Clark cites two areas where Wilkins has made appreciable growth: “I would say consistency in the run game. He’s always around the ball, which has always been a part of his game, to his credit. The effort has always been there.
“And he put an emphasis this offseason in rushing the passer and using his hands. It’s a credit to him.”
There are statistical measures that suggest improvement in both of those areas. As a run defender, PFF credits Wilkins with 26 run stops -which reflects tackles that constitute a “loss” for the offense. That’s the fourth most among NFL interior linemen.
As a pass rusher, his three sacks in 13 games this season is comparable to his 3.5 in his first 30 NFL games.
Wilkins also has seven tackles for loss in 13 games — matching his total from his first 30 NFL games. His seven quarterback hits in 13 games matches his total from his first 30 games.
Wilkins suggested there was no watershed moment of introspection this past offseason, no moment when he decided he needed to become a better player.
“It’s just staying the course and that’s something I would say to a lot of young guys coming into this league whether you have success, whether you struggle or whether you’re good or great,” he said. “You’re never a complete product no matter if you have the best season of all possible seasons, you still can be better. That’s something I try to do.
“I’ve always had confidence within myself. I know I can be a good player in this league and continue to be a good teammate. I always just try to find ways to stay the course, stay humble and stay motivated.”
Van Ginkel, who had a decent but not extraordinary start to the season, has been more impactful during this winning streak. Over the past five games, Van Ginkel has 17 tackles, 1.5 sacks, 10 quarterback hits and three passes defended while playing at least 72 percent of Miami’s defensive snaps every game.
“I think just overall in my whole game, I feel like I’m just getting my confidence up and being in the right spot and doing what the coaches ask of me and feeding off of the players around me and having fun,” he said.
He has only two sacks but 15 quarterback hits, which ranks tied with Nick Bosa for second most among edge rushers, behind only Maxx Crosby.
“You always want those sacks, so when you’re not getting there, you try to figure out a way how you can get there a split second faster,” he said.
Raekwon Davis’ return to the lineup in October after an early season knee injury has made an appreciable difference in Miami’s run defense.
During the games he missed (against Buffalo, Las Vegas and Indianapolis), the Dolphins allowed 143, 140 and 139 yards rushing, on 4.8, 4.0 and 4.2 per carry. That’s an average of 140 yards per game on 4.5 per carry.
In the nine games that Davis has played, Miami has permitted 90.8 yards rushing on 4.2 per carry. He said he’s happy how he has played the run, which is his primary responsibility.
Davis has taken on two blockers “a good amount of the time,” Clark said. “He does a hell of a job at it. Rae has been good” against the run. “Gotten better each week. Last couple weeks, really turned it on.”
In the defensive backfield, Coleman has done some of his best work in recent weeks. In the past five games, Coleman has allowed only six of the 14 passes in his coverage area to be caught, for just 48 yards, with no touchdowns and two interceptions. That’s a 22.3 passer rating in his coverage area.
In the previous eight games, Coleman allowed 18 of 21 passes in his coverage area to be caught for 212 yards, with no TDs or no INTs. That’s a 108.7 passer rating.
And don’t overlook linebacker Duke Riley, whose good work inside has allowed Baker to play more on the edge. Riley has played 105 defensive snaps in this win streak after playing only 19 in the first seven games.
“He’s got great passion for the game,” linebackers coach Anthony Campanile said of Riley. “He brings that good energy to our unit.”
This story was originally published December 14, 2021 at 5:00 PM.
