Fansided

Power ranking the NFL defenses for 2019

By Russell S. Baxter

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - JANUARY 05: Russell Wilson #3 of the Seattle Seahawks is sacked by Demarcus Lawrence #90 of the Dallas Cowboys in the first half during the Wild Card Round at AT&T Stadium on January 05, 2019 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - JANUARY 05: Russell Wilson #3 of the Seattle Seahawks is sacked by Demarcus Lawrence #90 of the Dallas Cowboys in the first half during the Wild Card Round at AT&T Stadium on January 05, 2019 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /
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TAMPA, FL – AUGUST 16: Miami Dolphins safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (29) during the first half of an NFL preseason game between the Miami Dolphins and the Tampa Bay Bucs on August 16, 2019, at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, FL. (Photo by Roy K. Miller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL – AUGUST 16: Miami Dolphins safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (29) during the first half of an NFL preseason game between the Miami Dolphins and the Tampa Bay Bucs on August 16, 2019, at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, FL. (Photo by Roy K. Miller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

30. Miami Dolphins

2018 Review: By season’s end, this was as porous a unit as there was in the league. The Dolphins allowed a combined 52 points during the team’s 3-0 start. But in the Dolphins’ 4-9 finish, the club surrendered at least 31 points in seven of those 13 outings. During Miami’s season-ending three-game losing streak, the ‘Fins were outscored by a combined 100-41 count. Only the Arizona Cardinals allowed more yards on the ground in 2018 as this team finished 29th in total defense. While there were 28 takeaways, there were also a disappointing 31 sacks.

2019 Key Additions: New head coach Brian Flores brings his defensive prowess from Foxborough to South Florida. The coordinator is Patrick Graham, who spent seven years with the Patriots before moving onto stints with the Giants (2016-17) and Packers (2018). The club used the No. 13 pick in April on Clemson University defensive tackle Christian Wilkins. And four-year cornerback Eric Rowe left New England this offseason to join Flores in Miami.

Analysis: The Dolphins’ top sack artists from a year ago were defensive ends Robert Quinn and Cameron Wake. But the former was dealt to the Dallas Cowboys and the latter was allowed to test free agency and signed with the Titans. The team’s leading returning sack artist is outside linebacker Jerome Baker, who managed three QB traps during his rookie campaign. All told, some of the ‘Fins younger defenders may have to grow up in a hurry.

Next: No. 29

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