With the 2025 NFL season fast approaching, the Miami Dolphins defense finds itself at a crossroads. After an up-and-down 2024 campaign marked by strong flashes but uneven results, Miami will look to blend youth, health, and some new faces into a cohesive unit. On paper, the Dolphins still have difference-makers at every level of the defense, but there are also clear question marks that will determine how far this group can go.
Stopping the Run: A Foundation Without Familiar Faces
Last season, Miami allowed 4.4 yards per running back carry, ranking 19th in the league. On the surface, that number is concerning, but the underlying metrics painted a brighter picture: the Dolphins led the NFL in yards before contact allowed per RB carry (0.84). That success stemmed from a defensive front that consistently disrupted plays at the line of scrimmage.
Two of the key figures in that run-stuffing success, Calais Campbell and Da’Shawn Hand, are gone for 2025. The Dolphins will lean heavily on Zach Sieler, who not only logged 10 run stuffs but also led the team in sacks (10) last year. He’ll be joined by first-round pick Kenneth Grant, a massive interior presence expected to plug gaps immediately. Behind that duo, however, depth is thin, so Grant will be asked to make an instant impact.
The Pass Rush: Can the Stars Get Back on the Field?
The Dolphins’ biggest shortcoming last season was their inability to finish pass-rush opportunities. Miami finished 27th in sacks (35) despite ranking 15th in pressure rate (34.9%). The talent is there—availability simply wasn’t.
- Bradley Chubb missed the entire 2024 season after a late-2023 knee injury.
- Jaelan Phillips suffered a torn ACL in September of 2024, less than a year after returning from an Achilles tear.
Both are working their way back, but Miami can’t count on either being at full speed immediately. Fortunately, the emergence of Chop Robinson, the Dolphins’ 2024 first-round pick, gave the team some breathing room. Robinson posted just 6 sacks as a rookie, but his 17.2% pressure rate ranked third among all eligible pass rushers—a sign that he’s on the verge of stardom if he converts pressures into takedowns.
If Miami gets even two healthy contributors from Chubb, Phillips, and Robinson, their pass rush could quickly transform from a weakness into a strength.
Linebackers: Solid, if Unspectacular
The linebacker group has a steady leader in Jordyn Brooks, who anchored the unit last year. Miami also re-signed Tyrel Dodson, who flashed at the end of 2024 after a rocky stint with the Seahawks. If Dodson can regain his 2023 Buffalo form, the Dolphins could field one of the more reliable linebacker tandems in the AFC.
Depth is no longer an afterthought, either. Miami added Willie Gay and K.J. Britt, both of whom bring speed and physicality. While not household names, they give the Dolphins rotational options that were lacking a year ago.
Secondary: A Major Overhaul
The biggest storyline of Miami’s offseason was the reshuffling of the secondary. Despite finishing 3rd in yards allowed per attempt (6.7) and 7th in defensive EPA per pass last season, the Dolphins will take the field in 2025 with a dramatically different look.
- Jalen Ramsey is gone, dealt to the Steelers in late June.
- Both Kader Kohou and Artie Burns suffered season-ending injuries in training camp.
That leaves Storm Duck and 2023 second-rounder Cam Smith as the most likely starters. Miami did add veteran slot corner Mike Hilton in late July, who should help stabilize the nickel role vacated by Kohou. Still, the lack of proven outside corners is a glaring concern.
At safety, the Dolphins parted ways with both Jevon Holland and Jordan Poyer, turning instead to a mix of new faces. Ashtyn Davis and Ifeatu Melifonwu arrived via free agency, but the headline addition is the return of Minkah Fitzpatrick, reacquired in the blockbuster trade that also shipped Ramsey to Pittsburgh. Fitzpatrick brings leadership, range, and versatility back to Miami’s defense, giving the secondary a badly needed centerpiece.
Outlook: Boom or Bust Potential
The 2025 Miami Dolphins defense has the feel of a high-variance unit.
- If Chubb and Phillips return healthy, Robinson takes the next step, and Kenneth Grant stabilizes the middle, the front seven could become a nightmare.
- If the cornerback group struggles to hold up without Ramsey, the secondary could be exposed despite the Fitzpatrick addition.
Ultimately, Miami’s defense may hinge on health and development. The building blocks are in place for a disruptive, top-10 caliber group. But with so many moving pieces and injuries in recent years, the margin between dominance and disappointment is razor-thin.
One thing is clear: the Dolphins’ defensive performance will go a long way in determining whether Miami can contend in the AFC in 2025.
