With the 2024 NFL season fast approaching, the South Florida Sun Sentinel takes a look at 10 storylines to watch for in a 10-part series ahead of the Miami Dolphins’ first day of training camp, which is Tuesday.
The best way to grasp the fervor surrounding new Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver and his defense is to allow cornerback Jalen Ramsey, the best player on that side of the ball, to share his excitement.
Weaver, who was Houston’s defensive coordinator in 2020, has said he’ll use Ramsey, a likely future Hall of Famer, as a “chess piece.” That means he’ll move Ramsey all over the field in various roles, sometimes following a wide receiver, sometimes perhaps in the slot, or sometimes perhaps as a safety.
“I think he’ll let me show my full skill set once again this year, so it should be fun,” Ramsey said of Weaver, a hot head coaching prospect who comes to Miami after spending the past three seasons as Baltimore’s defensive line coach, the last two as assistant head coach.
Ramsey, who missed the first seven games last year with a knee injury, is fired up.
“This is like back to what I do,” Ramsey said, “back to where I thrive and make an impact and have a lot of fun playing the game.”
Ramsey’s return to glory is only part of what Weaver brings to the Dolphins.
Weaver is young (43 years old) and energetic. He organizes pickup basketball games for his defensive coaches.
Weaver is known for creativity and leadership. Players rave about the multiple looks they’ll have under Weaver, a former defensive end who was a Ravens second-round pick in 2002.
He accepts feedback from players, and absorbs their energy.
“Shoot, I’m feeding off of them just as much as they are feeding off of me,” Weaver said. “It’s been awesome, just the synergy of it all.”
Plan on the Dolphins’ 2024 defense, under Weaver’s guidance, to look different from the 2023 defense, which ranked 10th under Vic Fangio’s guidance.
Here are a few examples:
— Weaver could use defensive lineman Zach Sieler in different ways. Sieler, who had 63 tackles and 10 sacks last season, has emerged recently as a versatile, attacking player;
— Weaver could use fellow defensive lineman Calais Campbell in multiple ways. Campbell, who said he feels most comfortable at defensive end, will likely play inside sometimes, especially in three-pass rusher formations;
— Baltimore used lots of three-safety looks last season, and Weaver could use that option with the Dolphins among safeties Jevon Holland, Jordan Poyer and Marcus Maye. Miami didn’t use three-safety looks last season;
— The Dolphins were 27th in blitz percentage last season at 21.5%. Perhaps Weaver, whose Ravens were 25th in blitz percentage at 21.9%, could implement more blitzes.
Expect numerous changes to Miami’s defense.
Expect Miami to experiment with different stunts and twists up front, and different coverage packages on the back end.
In the middle, perhaps Weaver will find new ways for linebackers David Long Jr. and Jordyn Brooks to harness their aggressiveness.
None of this means the Dolphins defense was bad last season.
In addition to ranking No. 10 in the league, the Dolphins established a franchise record with 56 sacks.
They had a good year defensively.
But it could have been better.
The Dolphins defense was 20th on third downs (allowing a 38.9% conversion rate) and allowed 23 points per game, which ranked 22nd.
Those are areas the Dolphins need to vastly improve, and such improvement is a possibility.
Sure, the defense lost several key pieces in the offseason with defensive tackle Christian Wilkins, cornerback Xavien Howard, linebacker Jerome Baker, edge rusher Andrew Van Ginkel and safety DeShon Elliott, among others.
But it also added key talent among cornerback Kendall Fuller, Poyer, Campbell, rookie edge rusher Chop Robinson, the first-round pick, and Maye, to name a few.
It’s too early to say that this year’s Dolphins defense will be better than last year’s. But it’s not too early to say it will go about its business differently.
Countdown to camp series
What do Dolphins need to do to find success in December and January games this season?
Are Dolphins relying on too many 30-somethings as key players?
Who generates early season pass rush for Dolphins if Chubb, Phillips — or both — are sidelined?
What should we expect from Dolphins’ offense in Year 3?
How much will losses of Robert Hunt, Christian Wilkins hurt the Dolphins?
Is there another step for the Dolphins’ run game to take?
Which newcomers on Dolphins’ defense will have the biggest impact?
What are the key position battles to watch for on the Dolphins?
Will Tua’s contract situation with Dolphins affect his on-field performance?
