PFF’s Most Underrated Player on the Miami Dolphins

Once you consider the phrase underrated in sports activities, chances are you’ll affiliate it with analogies like ”flying below the radar”, possibly ”large fish, small pond,” or perhaps a ”hidden gem.” It leaves the choice of a participant or workforce with the ability to showcase what they’ll do given the chance. Generally they sink, and typically they swim.

Professional Soccer Focus not too long ago got here out with their column on probably the most underrated participant on all thirty-two NFL groups. With the Miami Dolphins, you would throw a number of names into the hat, corresponding to Austin Jackson, Raheem Mostert, or David Lengthy Jr.

The participant they picked can be primary on most fan’s underrated checklist for the Dolphins however concurrently could have probably the most to show within the upcoming season. Though I really feel that PFF obtained it proper, it’s a little bit of an oxymoron. You’ll see what I imply.

Zach Sieler has been the most effective defenders on the Dolphins protection for the previous few years, even outshining his “Salt & Pepper” brother Christian Wilkins on the stat sheet at occasions. They made a formidable duo, however with Wilkins leaving for Las Vegas on an enormous contract this offseason, it’s time for Sieler to go from underrated to the man, and PFF appears to agree with their tackle him.

Though Sieler shouldn’t be an unknown participant, he had been residing in Christian Wilkins‘s shadow on Miami’s inside defensive position. Wilkins’ departure in free company means extra eyes will likely be on Sieler, particularly if he can get again to his 2021 type when he was the third-highest-graded inside defender within the NFL. Since he joined the Dolphins in 2019, Sieler has earned an 80.8 PFF general grade, rating twenty second amongst inside defenders. -PFF

Sieler has shined in the previous few years, however that would drastically change with Wilkins’s departure. Wilkins was the larger identify and obtained extra consideration within the inside. With Wilkins at his facet, Sieler was in a position to money in on extra one on one conditions and be a disruptor to the opponent’s offense.

How will Sieler affect the sport now that he’s established, and game-planned because the Dolphins DT1? He’ll get the majority of the double groups, which is able to give the opposite guys extra alternatives, and that does assist the protection, however his affect can’t finish there.

Followers and media didn’t maintain Wilkins to that normal when his sack numbers have been down. They anticipated him to supply on the stat sheet whereas coping with double groups, and that’s the place Sieler’s new problem arrives.

It’s an enormous query that wants a solution as a result of there isn’t a lot of a pattern dimension of Christian Wilkins off the sphere. He’s solely missed 4 video games in 5 years with the Dolphins and none within the final three years. There’s not one sport we will level to and say that Sieler made an affect as the highest man within the inside.

Zach Sieler is a criminally underrated participant, and PFF obtained it proper with their choice. He may very well be gearing up for an enormous season, cementing himself with the cream of the crop of inside defenders, however it’s not a given or a certainty that he’ll try this. I consider he could make a sizeable affect with a wholesome defensive position, however I feel it can take him to regulate, and we may even see some rising pains within the first leg of the season.

Tell us within the feedback if PFF obtained their choice proper and what sort of season Zach Sieler may have in 2024.