The Miami Dolphins will open their 2021 regular season one week from today — a clash with the rival New England Patriots awaiting Miami for the second consecutive year. Miami will hope to get off to a better start in 2021 than they did in 2020; where the Dolphins fell to 0-1 with a loss to New England and subsequently tumbled to 1-3 before making a run and finishing the year 9-3 over the final 12 games.
We now know which members of the Miami Dolphins have survived the initial cut down to 53 players. But who is going to be most responsible for securing the win against New England?
Here’s our forecast for the first-team defense next Sunday:
Dec 13, 2020; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins defensive end Christian Wilkins (94) sacks Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) during the second half at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Defensive Line
- DL Christian Wilkins
- NT Raekwon Davis
- DL Emmanuel Ogbah
No. 1 rotational player: DL Zach Sieler
There should be no surprises with this forecast up front for the Dolphins. Sieler will get heavy run for Miami but unless the team is constantly in short-yardage situations, Ogbah feels certain to keep the title of “starter”. Davis and Wilkins are former top draft choices who are now established starters as apart of the young nucleus in Miami. This group will occupy B-gap to B-gap up front for Miami; with Sieler potentially adding himself in to create a 4-man front for more heavy personnel groups or “base 3-4” looks that would feature Obgah on the outside.
