Former NFL offensive lineman predicts Dolphins will take step back on defense this season

Former NFL offensive lineman Brian Baldinger believes that the Miami Dolphins defense will take a step back in the 2024 season.

“Defensively, Anthony Weaver, I think is a good coach,” Baldinger said. “He’s been a coordinator. He’s been through the Baltimore system. It is different than what Vic [Fangio] does. They’ve gotta replace a lot of pieces defensively.

“I watched them yesterday. There’s – Jaelan Phillips still hobbling from an Achilles. There’s Bradley Chubb. You got young kids in [Chop] Robinson and [Mohamed] Kamara that they’re counting on, but they’re rookies. So, at the defensive tackle position, it doesn’t look real strong at this point. They just got a bunch of guys in there right now. They got just guys. I think the defense takes a step back. But maybe, it gets compensated with an offense that can put up 28 or 30 points a game.”

The Dolphins have lost a lot of key players on defense this offseason, including cornerback Xavien Howard, defensive lineman Christian Wilkins, linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel, linebacker Jerome Baker and safety Brandon Jones.

Those players won’t be easy to replace, and Miami also has to hope that Phillips and Chubb, who both had season-ending injuries in the 2023 season, can return to their normal production at some point in the 2024 campaign.

Miami did get some help on the edge and at linebacker this offseason by drafting Robinson and Kamara as well as signing veteran pass rusher Shaquil Barrett.

A two-time Pro Bowler, Barrett is a perfect insurance option if one or both of Chubb and Phillips misses the start of the 2024 season. Last season, the veteran started 16 games for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, recording 52 combined tackles, three tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks. Back in the 2019 season, Barrett led the NFL with 19.5 sacks, earning him a All-Pro nod for the first time in his career.

Earlier this month, Dolphins safety Jevon Holland praised Weaver, taking a slight shot at the Dolphins former defensive coordinator – Fangio – in the process. He called things a “complete 180” with Weaver taking over.

Hopefully, Weaver’s coaching style pays off and helps mold a Dolphins defense that may need some contributions from young players like Kamara, Robinson and second-year cornerback Cam Smith.

After nearly winning the AFC East division last season, the Dolphins certainly don’t want to take a step back in the 2024 campaign.

While Baldinger thinks Miami’s defense will take a step back this season, the team’s unit has a chance to prove him wrong with new players stepping up into big roles.