This Starter Won’t Be Back With the Miami Dolphins in 2021
By Tyler Kemp
With a surplus of draft picks over the next few years, the Dolphins are looking to build a roster around new quarterback Tua Tagovailoa that can contend in the AFC East. While general manager Chris Grier is tasked with building up this roster with weapons for Tagovailoa, the defense cannot be overlooked if head coach Brian Flores’ squad is to take the next step.
After next season, Miami will have to make some executive decisions on free agents. On the defensive side of the ball, there is a name to look out for in the trenches who may not be back for 2021 and beyond: Davon Godchaux.
"I take it day by day. I don't look at it as a big year, contract year....I don't think of it as fourth year, last year, end of my contract, I have to ball out. I look at it like that every year." Dolphins DT Davon Godchaux said.
— Omar Kelly (@OmarKelly) May 21, 2020
Godchaux has been a solid starter for the Fins in his first three years in the league. In 2019, he had a career year with 75 total tackles and two sacks while starting all 16 games. With these statistics as an interior lineman, Godchaux could be in line to command a lot of money on the open market.
All told, the production is not the problem with Godchaux. It is a matter of the depth coming up behind him that could push him out of Miami.
Christian Wilkins and Raekwon Davis. That could be a nightmare.
— Miguel Dominguez (@MiguelD_canes) April 25, 2020
Christian Wilkins had a good rookie season as a first-round pick in 2019, and 2020 second-round pick Raekwon Davis out of Alabama will have high expectations going into year one. While all three will work into the defensive line rotation, the long-term investment of drafting defensive linemen could be an act of solidifying the line if and when Godchaux walks.