The Miami Dolphins last won the AFC East in 2008. In the 2010s (2010-2019) they had a record of 70-90 and only one winning season (2016 when they finished 10-6). While they didn’t exactly accomplish a lot on the field this past decade, the Dolphins still had some talent on their roster. Now that the decade is over it is time to choose the Miami Dolphins All-Decade Team. Below is the Dolphins offensive All-Decade Team.
Miami Dolphins All-Decade Team: Defense
Defensive End: Cameron Wake
Cameron Wake was one of the easiest inclusions on this list, offensively or defensively. Last decade Wake spent nine seasons with the Dolphins and recorded 92.5 sacks, 337 tackles, 21 forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, one interception and one safety in 125 starts (132 total games). He received Pro Bowl honors five times while with Miami.
Defensive Tackle: Randy Starks
Randy Starks spent seven seasons in Miami, five in the previous decade, and he was selected to the Pro Bowl twice (2010 and 2012). In those five seasons Starks recorded 20.5 sacks, 168 tackles (32 for a loss), three interceptions, one forced fumble, three fumble recoveries and 42 quarterback hits.
Defensive Tackle: Ndamukong Suh
It was difficult to choose between Paul Soliai and Ndamukong Suh for this spot. Both were talented players while with the Dolphins. Soliai spent four seasons in Miami last decade and recorded 129 tackles, 4.5 sacks, one forced fumble and two fumble recoveries during those four seasons. In 2011 Soliai was named to the Pro Bowl.
Suh spent three seasons with the Dolphins last decade and started all 16 games each of those three seasons. Given his production while with the Detroit Lions, Suh’s 15.5 sacks while with the Dolphins was a bit of a letdown. But his output in Miami was still more impressive than Soliai’s so he gets the nod here.
Defensive End: Olivier Vernon
Olivier Vernon spent four seasons with the Dolphins (2012-2015) before joining the New York Giants. While with Miami, Vernon tallied 29 sacks, 196 tackles (43 for a loss), three forced fumbles and 74 quarterback hits. Vernon was very consistent while with the Dolphins and once he left, they never quite found a replacement for him to pair with Cameron Wake.
Linebacker: Koa Misi
Koa Misi spent seven years in the NFL (2010-2016), all of them with Miami. He posted 358 tackles (37 for a loss), 22 quarterback hits, 10 passes defensed, two forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and 12 sacks during that time.
Linebacker: Kiko Alonso
Kiko Alonso spent three years with the Dolphins (2016-2018) with the 2016 season being his best. Playing middle linebacker that season he had 115 tackles, two interceptions (one was a pick-six), a forced fumble and two fumble recoveries, in 15 games. In his three seasons with the Dolphins Alonso had 355 tackles, 14 quarterback hits, 11 passes defensed, six forced fumbles, five fumble recoveries and five picks.
Linebacker: Jerome Baker
Jerome Baker was drafted by the Dolphins in 2018 so he has only two NFL seasons under his belt. But in that time he has made his presence known, having tallied 205 tackles (seven for loss), two interceptions (one pick-six), seven passes defensed, two forced fumbles, and 4.5 sacks.
Linebacker: Karlos Dansby
It was difficult to decide the fourth linebacker spot on this list since no Dolphins linebacker really dominated last decade. But Karlos Dansby is the fourth and final linebacker on this list. He played 14 seasons in the league, three of which were with the Dolphins (2010-2012). While in Miami Dansby didn’t really live up to expectations, but he did tally 331 tackles (26 for loss), 17 passes defensed, five forced fumbles and six sacks.
Cornerback: Brent Grimes
Brent Grimes spent three seasons with Miami (2013-2015) and amassed 166 tackles, 13 interceptions, two touchdowns, 43 passes defensed and one forced fumble. Grimes was named to the Pro Bowl in all three seasons he was with the Dolphins and was their best cornerback during his time in Miami. It’s possible Grimes would have spent more time with the Dolphins if his wife had stopped openly criticizing then quarterback Ryan Tannehill.
Cornerback: Xavien Howard
Xavien Howard led the NFL in interceptions in 2018 and was named to his first Pro Bowl. In four seasons with the Dolphins thus far (2016-2019) he has tallied 140 tackles (five for a loss), 12 interceptions (seven in 2018), one forced fumble and one fumble recovery, despite playing in only 40 games and being limited to only five games in 2019.
Free Safety: Chris Clemons
Chris Clemons recorded only four interceptions in his five seasons with the Dolphins (2009-2013), but he was consistent and almost never messed up in coverage. He may not have made a bunch of splashy plays or picks, but his teammates and coaches could almost always count on Clemons to be in the correct spot. He also recorded 17 passes defensed, two forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries while in Miami.
Strong Safety: Reshad Jones
Reshad Jones spent the entire last decade in Miami. In those 10 seasons he tallied 776 tackles (41 for a loss), 10.5 sacks, 21 interceptions, 55 passes defensed, three forced fumbles, seven fumble recoveries and two touchdowns. Jones was also named to the Pro Bowl in both 2015 and 2017.
Click here for the Miami Dolphins All-Decade Team: Offense
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