5 breakout stars to watch for Miami Dolphins in 2020

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MIAMI, FLORIDA – DECEMBER 22: Davon Godchaux #56 of the Miami Dolphins lines up against the Cincinnati Bengals during overtime at Hard Rock Stadium on December 22, 2019 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) /

2. DT Davon Godchaux

The initial selection of the Brian Flores Era in South Florida would be one of three Clemson University defensive linemen picked in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft. While the Raiders opted for Clelin Ferrell with the fourth overall choice and the New York Giants grabbed Dexter Lawrence 13 picks later, the Miami Dolphins selected Christian Wilkins at No. 14.

The imposing 6’4”, 315-pound specimen would play in all 16 games as a rookie and made 14 starts. He finished sixth on the club with 56 tackles, to go along with a pair of sacks, two passes defensed, a special teams’ fumble recovery as well as a touchdown reception.

But it was fellow defensive tackle Davon Godchaux who put up the bigger numbers this past season. He was the Dolphins’ third-leading tackle with 75 stops and also had two sacks. A fifth-round pick from LSU in 2017, he’s been a 16-game starter each of these past two seasons.

Via Pro Football Focus (subscription required), he was tied for the NFL lead by interior defenders with 52 solo tackles. Another season teamed with the massive Wilkins inside could see the equally-stout Godchaux (6-foot-3, 311 pounds) produce even bigger numbers as he enters the final season of his rookie contract.

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