The Miami Dolphins have gotten plenty out of Josh Uche since bringing him in on a bargain deal, and the latest move around the roster only makes his case stronger.
With Malik Willis and Zach Sieler joining De’Von Achane on injured reserve, the Dolphins were down three captains. When the remaining group had to point to a replacement, the answer was the newcomer Uche. That kind of vote of confidence says plenty all by itself.
It also fits the production. Through eight games, Uche has piled up 34 tackles and three sacks, his highest sack total since his breakout 2022 season with the New England Patriots, when he had 11. He has also avoided a missed tackle, according to Pro Football Reference analytics.
If you prefer the Pro Football Focus view, Uche sits 27th among 110 qualifying edge defenders. Chop Robinson is 55th by that measure. There’s room to debate which player has been more impactful, but Uche has clearly been the Dolphins’ most complete edge defender this season.
That’s why the Dolphins should be thinking ahead. The one real obstacle to bringing him back would be contract demands getting out of hand, something that can happen with unrestricted free agents. The smarter play would be to work on an extension before he reaches the market next spring.
Uche’s own comments before the trade deadline only add to that idea. He said he didn’t want to go anywhere, partly because of his strong respect for head coach Jeff Hafley, and that sure sounds like a player who would be open to extension talks now.
Even if Miami adds one or two edge defenders next offseason, Uche still looks like someone who should have a major role. Right now, he and Chop Robinson are the only edge players who should be considered locks to return next year.
Malik Herring, Rodney McGraw and Jamree Kromah are the other names on the roster, and they have nine games left to make their case for coming back.
And being named a team captain in the middle of your first season with the team only reinforces the point.
In Other News...
Chop Robinson Is Giving Dolphins Fans A Very Intriguing Problem
Chop Robinson has already turned a limited sample into one of the more interesting development stories on Miamis defense. The Dolphins edge rusher has been productive when he gets after the quarterback, piling up 30 total pressures on 166 pass rushes and showing the kind of burst that can change a game even without a huge workload.
The wrinkle for Miami is simple: there have not been many chances to unleash him. Because opponents have thrown so little against the Dolphins this season, Robinsons opportunities have been capped, but the production is loud enough to make you wonder what it could look like if his role grows. For a defense always looking for more disruption off the edge, that is the kind of problem worth having. [Read more 🡒]
Dolphins Put A Frustrating Problem At The Center Of Their Lions Loss
Penalties ended up sitting at the center of Miamis loss to the Lions, and head coach Jeff Hafley made it clear afterward that the Dolphins made life harder on themselves than Detroit did. The flags repeatedly put the offense behind the chains and chipped away at any chance to settle into a rhythm, turning a competitive game into one where Miami kept having to dig out of avoidable mistakes.
Hafleys frustration was rooted in how familiar the problem felt, because the Dolphins have seen this kind of self-inflicted damage before and know it can wreck a game plan fast. With the margin in the AFC so thin, the message coming out of the loss was less about one bad night and more about a habit Miami cannot afford to let linger if it wants to stay on track. [Read more 🡒]
Dolphins Should Be Careful Judging Malik Willis Right Now
Malik Willis remains the Dolphins starting quarterback for the 2023 season, even as some fans have pushed for a change. The bigger picture around his first year in Miami is less about a quick verdict and more about the circumstances he has been asked to navigate, from a weak supporting cast to the general uncertainty that comes with a team still trying to sort out its long-term direction.
Miamis front office is clearly treating Willis as a possible answer beyond this season, but that does not mean the evaluation is finished or simple. With injuries and roster questions hanging over the offense, the Dolphins are left weighing what they have seen against what they still need to see, all while knowing the next turn could come through the draft, free agency, or a different answer altogether. [Read more 🡒]