How Bradley Chubb Will Impact Dolphins Defense

New Miami Dolphins edge rusher Bradley Chubb has a possibility to be the group’s first true star on the place because the departure of Cameron Wake.

The Dolphins made an enormous splash earlier than the NFL’s commerce deadline Tuesday by buying and selling for Chubb.

The group shipped off Chase Edmonds, a 2023 first-round choose and a 2024 fourth-round choose. Miami then doubled down on its funding by giving Chubb a five-year, $110 million contract extension with incentives that would push the contract’s worth to simply lower than $112 million.

With Chubb being such an enormous title and Miami investing a lot cash and draft capital into him, we’ve determined to dive into a few of Chubb’s stats to see how he may also help the Dolphins in opposition to the move and the run for this season and past.

How Can Chubb Assist Miami’s Go Rush?

Chubb’s pedigree all the time has been that of a potent pass-rush menace. It’s the explanation Denver chosen him fifth total within the 2018 NFL draft, and it’s the place he’ll assist Miami probably the most.

When taking a look at Chubb’s uncooked manufacturing, it could actually appear underwhelming. He’s recorded 26 sacks, with a career-high 12 in his rookie season, over the last 4 and half years.

Nevertheless, it’s vital to notice Chubb missed many of the 2019 season with an ACL harm and a variety of the 2021 season with bone spurs in his ankles.

Chubb has performed in solely 49 video games for his profession, so whereas 26 sacks don’t seem like rather a lot, he’s been productive when on the sector.

For reference, Dolphins move rusher Emmanuel Ogbah has recorded 27.5 sacks within the final 4 and half years regardless of enjoying 64 video games throughout that point span. Chubb is just only a extra dynamic, confirmed menace than what Miami has proper now.

Moreover, it’s vital to notice sacks are usually not the easiest way to evaluate move rushers. Sacks will be created by scheme or aided by poor pocket administration from quarterbacks.

Chubb ranks third in all the NFL in ESPN’s move rush win charge. He’s beating the participant throughout from him on 27 p.c of his move rush makes an attempt. That places him in the identical stratosphere as gamers like Cleveland’s Myles Garrett and Dallas’ Micah Parsons.

Clearly, that many move rush wins will assist Miami by itself, however Jaelan Phillips ranks tenth in move rush win charge. This implies opposing groups can’t double-team Chubb and Phillips. They’ve to fret about each, which is able to create extra one-on-one alternatives for the entire defensive position.

The power to create extra one-on-one move rush matchups is really the place Chubb can profit all the Dolphins protection probably the most.

Miami has the sixth-highest blitz charge within the league and 9 of their 15 mixed sacks have come once they’ve despatched 5 or extra rushers after the quarterback, in response to Sports activities Data Options.

Put merely, the Dolphins are too reliant on blitzing to create sacks. This places stress on Miami’s linebackers and secondary — the Dolphins protection ranks twenty sixth in passing yards allowed per recreation — as a result of they should cowl with fewer gamers.

Chubb’s means to win his matchups so constantly ought to permit Miami to blitz much less and provides some reduction to the Dolphins’ struggling, injured secondary.

Miami will nonetheless blitz greater than most groups, and Chubb suits completely into that strategy as effectively. He has expertise enjoying as each an outdoor linebacker and defensive finish. This implies he’s able to shifting across the line and standing up in numerous gaps.

That’s nonetheless a trademark of Miami’s protection, so Chubb’s versatility will solely make that aspect of the Dolphins scheme higher.

Chubb’s impression as a move rusher will transcend the field rating. His mere presence will power offenses to assault Miami’s protection otherwise.

—————————————————————————

FOR EVEN MORE COVERAGE ON THE MIAMI DOLPHINS, CHECK OUT SPORTS ILLUSTRATED’S MIAMI DOLPHINS PAGE ON SI.COM.

—————————————————————————

Chubb’s Affect In opposition to the Run

Whereas Chubb isn’t regarded as a potent run defender, he appears to have improved his manufacturing in opposition to the run this season.

Miami’s scheme nonetheless places an emphasis on defensive linemen and outdoors linebackers being succesful run defenders. Chubb has a 76.6 PFF grade in opposition to the run, placing him on monitor to complete with a grade larger than 70 for the primary time.

That is backed up by his movie from this season. Chubb has carried out a greater job anchoring in opposition to offensive linemen, and he’s nonetheless explosive sufficient to create destructive performs.

Chubb has seven tackles for loss in opposition to the run this season, which was third on the Broncos and can place him second on the Dolphins, in response to SIS.

He additionally ranks twelfth within the NFL in run stops — a sort out that leads to a failed play for the offense — with 11.

A few of Chubb’s superior stats do level to some weaknesses within the working recreation.

He ranked second-to-last on the Broncos in Factors Saved per play with 0.61 amongst gamers with no less than 10 tackles, in response to SIS. That quantity would additionally slate him second-to-last on the Dolphins proper behind Duke Riley however forward of Jerome Baker.

Chubb has been extra productive as a run defender this season, however his total impression on a per-play foundation appears to be minimal.

Chubb probably won’t ever grow to be an elite run defender. Nevertheless, he’s confirmed this season he’s no less than able to holding his personal. This could permit defensive coordinator Josh Boyer to really feel comfy leaving Chubb on the sector always. 

—————————————————————————

Thanks for studying. Be certain that to bookmark this website and verify again day by day for the newest Dolphins information and evaluation year-round. Additionally, you’ll be able to comply with me on Twitter at @PoupartNFL, and that is the place you’ll be able to ask questions for the common All Dolphins mailbags. You can also ask questions through electronic mail at fnalldolphins@yahoo.com.