PFF grades Miami’s secondary as one of the league’s highest-performing units in 2021

<div> <figure> <img alt="NFL: New England Patriots at Miami Dolphins" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/5_yKMH0O-ZkB7FVeN0R-XZPR9tQ=/0x0:5386x3591/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/70410523/usa_today_17479803.0.jpg"> <figcaption>Rhona Wise-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption> </figure> <p>Building a stout secondary wasn’t cheep.</p> <p id="78UEi2">Byron Jones and Xavien Howard were two of Miami’s largest cap hits this season and Eric Rowe was near the top as one of the team’s highest-paid players. </p> <p id="OcuIBi">From large contracts to a handful of premium draft picks, the <a href="https://www.thephinsider.com/">Dolphins</a> spent the last 36 months investing in the secondary. Pro Football Focus believes Miami has gotten solid returns in that investment, <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com/?id=66960X1641938&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pff.com%2Fnews%2Fnfl-final-2021-nfl-secondary-rankings&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thephinsider.com%2F2022%2F1%2F19%2F22891985%2Fpff-grades-miamis-secondary-as-one-of-the-leagues-most-impactful-units" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">ranking the unit as the eighth-best defensive backfield in football</a>. </p> <div id="dVgKFk"></div> <p id="24Rz2f">Miami’s corners played more man coverage than any other team in the league and ranked sixth in PFF’s coverage grade, according to the post. Nik Needham received a grade of a top-10 slot corner and Jevon Holland earned the third-highest grade (84.6) at safety in his rookie season. </p> <p id="j2sU40">Howard, who led the league with 10 interceptions in 2020, closed with five interceptions and a pick-six in 2021. Additionally, Howard forced two fumbles and is the only member of the Dolphins to earn a spot on the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl-pro-bowl">Pro Bowl</a> roster. </p> <p id="iMOYSR">Jones and Howard, as of now, will be Miami’s two-largest cap hits in 2022 with Rowe, Holland and Jones all under contract as well. Needham is set to be a restricted free agent this offseason. </p> <p id="tDqgCK">While the secondary has been a source of success in recent history, the unit could look a bit different next season if Miami’s next head coach has a different vision for the group. The Dolphins have a handful of <a href="https://www.thephinsider.com/2022/1/19/22891451/miami-dolphins-have-interviews-lined-up-with-several-of-the-nfls-top-head-coach-candidates-dan-quinn">head coach interviews scheduled for later this week</a>. </p> </div>