The Miami Dolphins‘ at-times leaky run defense was a big topic of conversation Friday when defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver and defensive line coach Austin Clark met with reporters.
“Not good enough, right?” Weaver said of a unit that is allowing more yards per game (112) and per carry (4.5) than it did a year ago. “… There are spells where we’re pretty darn good, and then there’s other times we’re like, ‘Gosh, how do we allow that to happen?’
“Ultimately, there’s no fingers to blame. It’s just a collective effort of us just cleaning it up.”
Who’s To Blame for Miami Dolphins’ Run Defense Woes?
To be sure, there has been a dropoff in Miami’s run defense with defensive tackle Christian Wilkins and Raekwon Davis gone. But let’s not get too crazy with our criticism of the new guys.
Instead, the facts suggest that the breakdowns that have occurred (including a 49-yard touchdown run by Buffalo Bills RB James Cook in Week 2) have not been the fault of Miami’s much-scrutinized defensive line, but of those behind them.
On his 49-yard TD run, James Cook reached a top speed of 20.99 mph, the fastest speed as a ball carrier of his career.
🔹 Rushing Yards Over Expected: +42
🔹 TD Probability: 0.6%Watch @TNFPrimeVision w/@NextGenStats
📺: https://t.co/2wOmTXZ2PV pic.twitter.com/1ZMrZMh45Z— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) September 13, 2024
The Dolphins in 2024 rank fifth in yards before contact per rush (.89) and 28th in yards after contact per rush (3.59). That’s a wonky way of saying their front four has been good, but their tackling has been bad.
Miami’s defense entering Sunday’s games had faced the second-fewest plays in the league (155). And yet, only 15 teams have more missed tackles on the year than the Dolphins (19).
That’s on the linebackers and defensive backs. David Long Jr. (who could miss Monday’s game against the Tennessee Titans with a hamstring injury), Kader Kohou, and Jordan Poyer all have three missed tackles in as many games.
Another failure? At the goal line. The Dolphins — who face a Titans team Monday that has averaged 4.2 yards per carry this season — have allowed the third-most rushing touchdowns in 2024 (five).
“[The key is] making sure we’re setting the edge, making sure we’re building the wall on the inside with our front and our backers and ultimately make sure we get these backs on the ground because the last thing we want to continue to allow offenses do is to run the ball, particularly in the end zone,” Weaver said. “Let’s make them throw it in.”
With all that said, the Dolphins actually have been pretty solid against the run from a down-in, down-out perspective.
They’re seventh in rush EPA per play (-.197), tied for fourth in success rate (33.3%), and tied for fifth in third-down conversions when the opponent runs (28.6%).
Calais Campbell, Zach Sieler, and Emmanuel Ogbah have all more than held their own this year, particularly on the ground. And if they can clean up their tackling, pad leverage, and eye discipline, the Dolphins’ rankings will return to where they expect.
“Look, I think we’ve given up some explosives, and I don’t think it’s just on [the interior defensive line],” Clark said. “Stopping [the] run and earning the right to [pass] rush is something that we’re focused on [this week].”