Andrew Van Ginkel is stepping up his play for the Miami Dolphins defense. With Jaelan Phillips sidelined with an oblique injury, Van Ginkel’s play has the Dolphins rolling over most of their opponents, so far, this season.
Andrew Van Ginkel: Stepping Up for the Dolphins Defense
So far this season, Van Ginkel has 22 total tackles, including 14 solo and eight assisted. What stands out about his play thus far is four sacks and a fumble recovery. After seeing his playing time diminish last season, Van Ginkel is making the most of his opportunities.
Van Ginkel as a Calf
Van Ginkel was a fifth-round pick by the Dolphins in the 2019 NFL Draft. He began his college football playing career at the University of South Dakota before transferring to his home state of Iowa and playing at Iowa Western Community College. After one season at Iowa Western, Van Ginkel transferred to the University of Wisconsin. In his first season with the Dolphins, Van Ginkel saw action in six games, including one start. Van Ginkel had a fumble recovery and 15 total tackles, including one sack, in his rookie season.
Sophomore Success
In his sophomore campaign for the Dolphins, Van Ginkel saw his playing time increase dramatically. He played in all 16 of the Dolphins regular season games, starting 11 of those 16. Van Ginkel had a career-high of five and a half sacks that season. He also had a career-high in forced fumbles (3), one of which was returned for a touchdown.
Big Time Numbers
Van Ginkel’s third season with the aqua and orange once again had him seeing action in all 17 of the Dolphins’ regular season games. He made a career-high 14 starts. Although his number of total tackles increased by 35 from 2020, his other statistics dropped. He had only one forced fumble and four sacks for the season.
Flash in the Pan
As Jaelan Phillips’ play and productivity increased, Van Ginkel saw his opportunities and playing time decrease. Though he did appear, once again, in all of the Dolphins’ regular season games, he only made five starts. He had a career-low, half a sack, during the season. Many thought that Van Ginkel’s play had been a “flash in the pan.” After all, Van Ginkel was a fifth-round pick who attended an FCS and NJCAA, before making it to an FBS Program. Phillips was a stud, who had played at institutions that had seen significant success, in UCLA and the University of Miami (FL). In essence, Van Ginkel had overachieved.
Stepping Up: Back in the Spotlight
If people were naive enough to believe the narrative that Van Ginkel was a flash in the pan, that, at best, overachieved since coming into the league, Van Ginkel seemed poised to prove those people wrong. He is playing like the player he was in 2021. He is already on pace to have a career-high in sacks and tackles. More importantly, he has become an integral part of the Miami Dolphins’ success this season. Vic Fangio will no doubt have to find a way to get both Van Ginkel and Phillips on the field, together, once Phillips is healthy.
Takeaway
Andrew Van Ginkel is stepping up big for the Miami Dolphins defense. He is a big reason for much of the Dolphins’ success this season. He has proven his worth as a key cog in the Dolphins defense. Once Phillips returns, fans hope that the Dolphins can find a way to keep both players on the field. Here’s hoping Van Ginkel and the Dolphins will keep rolling their early season success to Paradise, Nevada, and Super Bowl LVIII.
Main Photo: [Sam Navarro] – USA Today Sports
