Avoid staring a gift horse in the face. The Miami Dolphins’ executives ought to be stating it at this very now.
With Shaq Barrett’s unexpected retirement, the team’s pass-rushing and defensive line depth are severely lacking. Therefore, the Dolphins should be eager to persuade former Pro Bowler Yannick Ngakoue to sign on the dotted line before he leaves South Beach, as his agent Drew Rosenhaus (via the Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson) reports that Ngakoue would be visiting the team on Monday.
After a string of injuries at the position, the Dolphins signed Barrett in March to manage the edge in order to finish the 2023 campaign. However, four months later, the 31-year-old chose to retire, citing a desire to spend more time with his family.
In an effort to close this massive defensive disparity, Miami is also said to have invited free agent Emmanuel Ogbah, who has played for the Dolphins for the previous four years, to their headquarters for a meeting.
Even though Ngakoue only managed 4.0 sacks in 2023 after a career-high 9.5 sack season with the Indianapolis Colts in 2022, he is still only 29 years old.
In wake of Shaq Barrett retirement, Dolphins are auditioning multiple edge players on Monday. Besides Ogbah, Yannick Ngakoue also will be at Dolphins headquarters on Monday, Drew Rosenhaus said on his WSVN-7 Fox segment. (There could be others).
— Barry Jackson (@flasportsbuzz) July 22, 2024
It is possible for pass-rushers to continue producing well into their 30s, and Ngakoue’s decline in 2023 was likely caused by a disorganized Chicago Bears defense. Not to mention that he missed the last four games of that season, when the Bears defense truly got clicking, due to a fractured ankle.
Given their limited alternatives, Miami would be wise to wager on Ngakoue’s comeback to his pre-2023 form. At least to begin the 2024 season, four of the Dolphins’ top five pass rushers are probably out of the lineup. Both defensive tackle Christian Wilkins and linebacker Andrew van Ginkel left in free agency, signing with the Las Vegas Raiders and the Minnesota Vikings, respectively.
More significantly, after suffering injuries on December 31 and November 24, respectively, edge rushers Bradley Chubb (torn ACL) and Jaelan Phillips (torn Achilles) were recently placed on the active/PUP list. Both wounds may sideline them for a year and necessitated extensive surgery. The Fins need a rapid cure because even if they make that deadline, neither will be fully recovered until at least October.
With 56 sacks, Miami ranked third last season, and their early-season success was largely due to that pressure; their late-season collapse was painfully evident in the absence of it. Miami also ranked first in QB knockdowns, knockdown rate, pressures, and pressure rate rate.
It is obvious that the Dolphins’ pass-rush and renowned offensive speed are key components of their success. The Dolphins need to replace 32.5 sacks as a result of those four departures and injuries, and Ngakoue is their best option to accomplish it following Barrett’s sudden retirement.
rookie edge rusher in the first round Whenever Miami signs a pass rusher, it will be the best player available and they will be prepared for instant success because Chop Robinson is a project who will take time to develop. Zach Sieler (10.0 sacks) and veteran Calais Campbell (6.5) are expected to dominate inside, so Ngakoue (or whoever they sign) will likely face a lot of one-on-one situations.
| Dolphins 2024 Pass-Rushing Absences (2023 Stats) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Category | Chubb | Phillips (8 Games) | Van Ginkel | Wilkins |
| Sacks | 11.0 | 6.5 | 6.0 | 9.0 |
| QB Hits | 22 | 11 | 19 | 23 |
| Pressures | 33 | 17 | 20 | 30 |
| Forced Fumbles | 6 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| TFLs | 11 | 7 | 8 | 10 |
Though he is two years older than Ngakoue and has never been as prolific, Ogbah is also thinking about going back to Miami. If Ngakoue signs, Barrett’s retirement may wind up being a blessing in disguise because the latter is considerably younger and has a stronger recent record—9.5 sacks in 2022 were more than the combined 7.5 Barrett recorded in 2022 and 2023.
Before 2023, Ngakoue recorded eight or more sacks, six or more TFLs, and twenty-five or more pressures in every NFL season. In his only Pro Bowl season, which occurred in 2017, he even set a league record with six forced fumbles. At just 29 years old, the 6’2″, 246-pound defensive end still has a lot to offer, and the Fins can probably sign him for about the veteran minimum.
The native of Washington, D.C., won’t be allowed to leave Dolphins HQ without an agreement if they know what’s best for them.