The Miami Dolphins are adding a seasoned pass rusher, just days after they lost pass rusher Jaelan Phillips to an Achilles tear that will keep him out of the game for the remainder of the campaign.
According to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, the Dolphins are signing Jason Pierre-Paul off the New Orleans Saints’ practice squad and will add him to their 53-man roster.
Pierre-Paul signed with the Saints on November 16, after being a free agent for most of the season. The Florida native played one game for the Saints this season and combined for just two tackles. After appearing in his one game with the Saints, they placed him back onto their practice squad where he was made eligible to be signed by Miami.
Pierre-Paul participated in 14 games with the Baltimore Ravens in the previous campaign, recording three sacks in addition to 26 tackles and three quarterback hits.
With 150 starts under his belt in his 14th season, Pierre-Paul has a tonne of NFL experience.
The New York Giants selected Pierre-Paul 15th overall in the 2010 NFL Draught, and he went on to be selected to the Pro Bowl and the All-Pro team in 2011. Pierre-Paul assisted in leading the Giants’ defence to a victory over Tom Brady and the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl that same season.
In exchange for a third-round pick and two fourth-round picks, Pierre-Paul was traded to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the 2018 offseason.
Brady would lead the way as Pierre-Paul’s quarterback in 2020 as he would win another Super Bowl.
Pierre-Paul has 631 tackles and 94.5 sacks in his career. In addition, he has forced 21 fumbles and intercepted 66 passes.
Miami Has Done a Fantastic Job Pursuing the QB
The Dolphins’ ability to pressure the quarterback is a major factor in their 8-3 record and leadership of the AFC East.
With 38 sacks through 11 games, the Dolphins are third in the NFL. In 10 of its 11 games this season, Miami has recorded multiple sacks; in two of those games, they have recorded seven sacks apiece.
Vic Fangio’s defence has increased its season total of sacks by 11 over the last three games.
Bradley Chubb and Christian Wilkins will be Miami’s top two sack leaders going forward since Phillips is out for the season.
The Dolphins attempted to claim former Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Derek Barnett off waivers, but the Houston Texans took him instead, according to Omar Kelly of Si.com.
Miami Might Scoop Up Another Elite Pass Rusher
The Dolphins, who boast a potent scoring offence and are serious Super Bowl contenders this season, will require as many pass rushers as possible to pressure the quarterback in the closing minutes of games.
Shaq Leonard, a free agent pass rusher, may be of interest to Miami.
The Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson claims that the Dolphins have investigated the former linebacker for the Indianapolis Colts.
Leonard, a three-time Pro Bowler and four-time All-Pro, was seeing his playing time with the Colts decline.
Leonard underwent two back surgeries the previous season, and the Colts decided to cut him after he essentially lost his role this season and would not be involved going forward.
Leonard amassed 15 sacks and 416 total tackles in his first three seasons in the National Football League. He has only 198 tackles, including 65 this season through nine games, and has not recorded a sack in the previous three seasons.
It wouldn’t hurt to add a seasoned player like Leonard because he might need a change of scenery and could benefit from playing and coaching under Fangio.
Even as the Dolphins prepare to face Dak Prescott, Lamar Jackson, and Josh Allen in the postseason, they will require every bit of pass rush support they can get. Colorado native Kevin Kissner has covered the Denver sports pro scene since 2012; his voice and work have been heard on Denver’s 104.3 FM The Fan, 98.5 KYGO, and WoodyPaige.com. More about Kevin Kissner
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