Dolphins Q&A: Is the return of Davon Godchaux and Vince Biegel enough to improve Miami’s defense?

Here’s the latest installment of our Miami Dolphins Q&A, where South Florida Sun Sentinel writers Safid Deen and Omar Kelly answer questions from readers.

<mark class="hl_orange">Q:</mark> Is the return of Davon Godchaux and Vince Biegel enough to improve the Dolphins defensive front — Twitter: @LlFinFan29

<mark class="hl_tblue">A: </mark> I’m a fan of both Godchaux, a four-year starter for the Dolphins, and Biegel, who had an impressive 2019 season. But neither were difference makers in their time with the Dolphins.

Solid players. Great humans. Decent NFL starters.

But the goal this offseason should be to add pieces that are better than decent.

It wasn’t a coincidence that Miami’s defensive front started tightening against the run when Raekwon Davis replaced Godchaux, who suffered a season-ending biceps injury in the fifth game of the season. With Davis in the starting lineup, the Dolphins trimmed their yards-per-carry average from 4.9 yards to 4.6 yards per carry.

Davis is a bigger and stronger defensive linemen. He’s a presence who can help clog running lanes better. Godchaux, who has started 42 games in his four seasons, hasn’t excelled in that role with the Dolphins. He’s gotten better over the years. But he’s adequate taking on blockers and only contributed one quarterback hit in 172 snaps.

And as spunky as Biegel was in the 2019 season — contributing 59 tackles, 2.5 sacks and one interception — setting the edge and hunting down quarterbacks wasn’t his strength. Biegel benefited from the lack of talent on Miami’s roster in 2019, and I’m not certain he would have played a significant role in 2020.

Andrew Van Ginkel replaced Biegel as a starter after Biegel tore his Achilles during training camp in late August, and the second-year linebacker had a breakout season, recording 78 tackles, 5.5 sacks and forcing three fumbles.

Van Ginkel proved he’s one of the young players the Dolphins need to keep investing in.

Both Godchaux and Biegel are slated to become unrestricted free agents in March, and I’d be surprised if the Dolphins re-signed them unless the deal was extremely team-friendly.

And considering both are rehabbing serious injuries that could be a possibility, but I’d prefer those two veterans establish themselves elsewhere, latching onto a team that has a vision for them and puts respectable money on the table.

I suspect the Dolphins will go with younger and cheaper options to fortify the defensive line. The hope is that Miami adds a defensive tackle, edge rusher and a linebacker or two who can create more pressure plays without blitzes being called.

The Dolphins need players who can disengage from a block and hunt opposing quarterbacks down without the benefit of blitzing, which is how Miami produced the majority of their 41 sacks.

Those types of playmakers won’t be easy to find or cheap to add, but they are the missing link to Miami’s defense and are needed if the Dolphins plan to turn up the volume on last year’s success.

<mark class="hl_orange">Have a question?</mark>

Email Safid Deen, or tag @OmarKelly or @Safid_Deen on Twitter.

<mark class="hl_tblue">Previously answered:</mark>

What should Miami’s approach be to improve the run game?

Which Dolphins player had the best rookie season?

What’s a fair trade offer for Texans QB Deshaun Watson?

Would you rather build around Tua and draft picks or Deshaun Watson?

Will the Dolphins coach in the Senior Bowl later this month?

Which position should Miami draft with its top-five pick?