Should the Miami Dolphins utilize more press coverage in 2024?

<div><figure> <img alt="Buffalo Bills v Miami Dolphins" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/T0J57u4Aj_2FxizbKf8RyS0CTWw=/0x0:4172x2781/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73095567/1917491001.0.jpg"> <figcaption>Photo by Rich Storry/Getty Images</figcaption> </figure> <p>The Miami Dolphins are searching for a new defensive coordinator after Vic Fangio spent just one year with the team. </p> <p id="65peaK">The <a href="https://www.thephinsider.com/">Miami Dolphins</a> featured one of the best cornerback duos but Jalen Ramsey and Xavien Howard combined for just four turnovers. The defense ranked 15th with <a href="https://www.teamrankings.com/nfl/stat/opponent-passing-yards-per-game">223.5 passing yards allowed per game</a> while running Vic Fangio’s scheme. </p> <p id="m1UMUC">As a result, Fangio is now the defensive coordinator for the <a href="https://www.bleedinggreennation.com/">Philadelphia Eagles</a>, and Miami is searching for its <a href="https://www.thephinsider.com/2024/1/29/24054550/miami-dolphins-defensive-coordinator-vic-fangio-eagles-2024-search-mike-mcdaniel">third defensive coordinator in three years</a>. The Dolphins utilized a blitz-happy scheme when Josh Boyer was the team’s defensive coordinator in 2022. </p> <div id="2Pood6"><div style="left: 0;width: 100%;height: 0;position: relative;padding-bottom: 56.25%"></div></div> <p id="OxA5fU">Fangio’s defense was safer — especially for cornerbacks — but far less disruptive. Miami saw both outside cornerbacks utilize press coverage on just 4% of snaps — the league’s second-lowest mark behind the Panthers. </p> <p id="VW3UGF">The <a href="https://www.arrowheadpride.com/">Kansas City Chiefs</a> ranked first (41%), followed by the <a href="https://www.thefalcoholic.com/">Atlanta Falcons</a> (35%), <a href="https://www.buffalorumblings.com/">Buffalo Bills</a> (28%), and Detriot Lions (26%), <a href="https://nextgenstats.nfl.com/">according to Next Gen Stats</a>. </p> <div id="zKsUO0"> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-dnt="true"> <p lang="en" dir="ltr">How often do teams have both outside corners in press coverage? <br><br>1. Chiefs, 41%<br>2. Falcons, 35%<br>3. Bills, 33%<br>4. Ravens, 28%<br>5. Lions, 26%<br><br>...<br><br>28. Jaguars 8%<br>29. Raiders 7%<br>30. Commanders, 4%<br>31. Dolphins, 4%<br>32. Panthers, 3%<a href="https://twitter.com/NextGenStats?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NextGenStats</a></p>— Seth Walder (@SethWalder) <a href="https://twitter.com/SethWalder/status/1750587413930377420?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 25, 2024</a> </blockquote> </div> <p id="uocdSx">Four of the top five teams made the playoffs last season. Meanwhile, of the teams that rarely pressed both corners, only the Dolphins made the postseason in 2023. </p> <p id="H8aeUm">Miami’s defense wasn’t bad with Fangio calling the shots, but it’s clear that coach Mike McDaniel felt the unit’s scheme needed more flexibility to maximize talent.</p></div>