The Miami Dolphins know they cannot replace Christian Wilkins with one player. So they’ve tried to do it in the aggregate, adding five defensive tackles to a still-solid existing core.
The Dolphins seem to be taking a by-committee approach this season, unlike in 2023, when Wilkins and Zach Sieler logged the vast majority of snaps at their respective positions. And with the NFL Draft still to come, Miami probably isn’t done addressing the position.
Will the gambit work? Hard to say. But here’s where things stand one week into free agency.
Miami Dolphins 2024 Defensive Tackles
The Star
Zach Sieler
- Age: 28
- Season: 7
- 2023 Team: Miami Dolphins
- 2023 Stats: 17 games (17 starts), 856 defensive snaps, 10 sacks, 11 tackles for loss, 22 quarterback hits, two fumble recoveries, one forced fumble, one interception
- He Said It: “It’s physical conditioning, absolutely. And it’s also just the mentals of it and knowing – [Wilkins] and I both pride each other on ‘Hey look, if we need to do it, we can do it.’ If we rotate, we rotate. If we don’t, we don’t. It’s just whatever the team calls for, … I [am] ready to do.”
Potential Starters
Neville Gallimore
- Age: 27
- Season: 5
- 2023 Team: Dallas Cowboys
- 2023 Stats: 17 games (zero starts), 288 snaps, one sack, two tackles for loss, two quarterback hits
- He Said It: “The beauty of it is coach [Austin] Clark and as well as the rest of the staff, obviously that’s what makes them great, right? I know they are going to find a fit that’s perfect for me. And really, I’m just coming with the mindset ready to work, ready to learn, ready to grow, and ready to be where they see best fit. I couldn’t tell you right there, couldn’t tell you off rip, but we’ll see as the season progresses.”
- Age: 26
- Season: 4
- 2023 Team: Detroit Lions
- 2023 Stats: 17 games (15 starts), 567 defensive snaps, one sack, six quarterback hits, three tackles for loss
- He Said It: “Those are some pretty big shoes [to fill] because he’s leaving. You just got to come in and set the bar how he had it. Christian is a heck of a player. When I first came in, he kind of took me under his wing as a young guy. I never saw myself kind of replacing him on the field. People always want to play with him or play beside him. I’m happy for him going to Las Vegas.”
Roster Battlers
Da’Shawn Hand
- Age: 28
- Season: 7
- 2023 Team: Miami Dolphins
- 2023 Stats: 16 games (zero starts), 198 defensive snaps, one sack, one tackle for loss, three quarterback hits
Jonathan Harris
- Age: 27
- Season: 5
- 2023 Team: Denver Broncos
- 2023 Stats: 17 games (five starts), 529 defensive snaps, one sack, four quarterback hits, four tackles for loss
Brandon Pili
- Age: 24
- Season: 2
- 2023 Team: Miami Dolphins
- 2023 Stats: Four games (zero starts), 30 defensive snaps, two tackles
- He Said It: “I just came to work. I just came and put in the work. Yes sir, no sir. The coach told me to be low maintenance, don’t be a high maintenance guy. So I think that combined with the stuff I did on the field is really what helped me kind of get here.”
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Long Shots
Isaiah Mack
- Age: 27
- Season: 5
- 2023 Team: None
- 2023 Stats: None
Daviyon Nixon
- Age: 25
- Season: 3
- 2023 Team: None
- 2023 Stats: None
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