Miami Dolphins' biggest disappointment at midseason
The Miami Dolphins have ended up at the top of the AFC East as the season hits its midpoint. The Dolphins have had a lot of solid performances across the roster, with a number of players stepping up when their number is called. However, one player who was paid to be a difference maker on […]
The Miami Dolphins have ended up at the top of the AFC East as the season hits its midpoint. The Dolphins have had a lot of solid performances across the roster, with a number of players stepping up when their number is called.
However, one player who was paid to be a difference maker on the Dolphins' defense has fallen off the map. EDGE Emmanuel Ogbah was signed to a 4-year, $65 million contract in March 2022. To date, he's become an afterthought in the middle of the 2023 season.
Ogbah was drafted in the second round of the 2020 draft by Cleveland, where he spent his first three seasons. After suffering a season-ending pectoral injury for Kansas City in 2019, he came to Miami as a free agent in 2020, where he earned a two-year, $15 million contract. And he largely lived up to his billing during that time, totaling 9 sacks in both 2020 and 2021.
However, it's been downhill since then. To be fair, there have been some challenges for Ogbah to overcome. 2022 ended in disappointing fashion, as a triceps injury ended his season prematurely after he notched just one sack in 9 games. Also, in Vic Fangio's defense, Ogbah has had to switch from a defensive end to a standup outside linebacker. That might sound simple, but it's a significant change.
That being said, fair or not, the reality is that he's fallen behind Miami's talented trio of pass rushers through nine games. Andrew Van Ginkel has been able to perform at an extremely high level to push Miami's starting edge duo of Bradley Chubb and Jalean Phillips.
The numbers haven't been all that bad for Ogbah in his limited time on the field. he has a pressure rate of 12.8% in 70 pass rushing snaps with 2.5 sacks and in interception. However, the fact that he's been unable to persuade his own coaches with his play to earn more playing time is not a good sign.
It seems that unless the Dolphins suffer an injury to one of the aforementioned trio during the second half of the season, Ogbah will be spending the majority of his time on the sideline. And for what the Dolphins are paying him, that's quite disappointing.
Miami Dolphins’ biggest surprise at midseason
Miami has had some standouts this fall, but one has been a major surprise
