NFL Analyst Predicts Shaq Lawson to Be Breakout Star for Miami Dolphins This Season

The Miami Dolphins had a very productive offseason.

Miami signed star free agents Byron Jones, Kyle Van Noy and Jordan Howard to strengthen their roster. However, one NFL writer has pegged another newcomer to stand out in 2020.

In his latest column, NFL.com writer Adam Rank predicted that defensive end Shaq Lawson will be the Dolphins’ “breakout star” this season.

“The Dolphins finished dead last in sacks last season with 23,” Rank wrote. “Consequently, they desperately handed Lawson a three-year, $30 million contract. Pretty good dough for a former first-round pick who’s yet to reach double-digit sacks in any season.

“But [Dolphins head coach Brian] Flores is from the [New England] Patriots’ coaching tree, and when I think about some of New England’s most successful free-agent signings over the past two decades, I’m open to seeing where the Fins are going with this. Could Lawson end up being Miami’s version of Mike Vrabel, Rob Ninkovich or even Rosevelt Colvin? Lawson will definitely benefit from playing with two stellar corners who’ll keep receivers covered.”

The Dolphins weren’t praised as much for signing Lawson as much as they were for acquiring Jones, Van Noy or Howard, but Lawson could make a huge impact on a team that struggled to rush the passer last season.

Taco Charlton led the Dolphins with five sacks in 2019, as the team struggled to replace the departed Cameron Wake and Robert Quinn.

Lawson, 26, should help fill that void. He had a career high 6.5 sacks, 13 tackles for loss and 18 quarterback hits last season.