Can Zach Sieler take next step to become Christian Wilkins-level player for Dolphins?
Zach Sieler answered a lot of questions about the departure of Christian Wilkins in a meeting with local reporters on Tuesday afternoon.
It's understandable.
Wilkins, a defensive lineman, like Sieler, left the Dolphins for Las Vegas and $110 million.
But what if we told you - as we told Zach on Tuesday - that his statistics over the last four years in the areas of tackles, tackles for loss, quarterback hits and sacks are very, very similar to Christian's?
Following Wilkins' departure, does Sieler believe he can elevate his game to an even higher level?
"I think with or without Christian, no matter what, that's the goal every year," Sieler said. "So, that's my plan. I don't care who's next to me. I'm gonna' find a way to make it work. And we're gonna' make it right."
Some will say that Wilkins' departure from the Dolphins will make it harder for Sieler to even maintain a similar level of production. But the reality is that Sieler can do many of the things Wilkins did.
"Sieler is great rushing the passer," Dolphins offensive lineman Austin Jackson said Tuesday, when asked about Sieler-Wilkins similarities. "They're both great at rushing the passer. And now that I think about it, they both play very similar. They were very close. They both admire each other's game and work ethic. I see Zach has that same speed on the line, aggression, disrupting the line, finding offensive lines for first contact. But also staying dangerous with the lateral game as well."
Zach Sieler can fill Christian Wilkins void for Miami Dolphins
Jackson noted that Wilkins and Sieler - who can both play inside or outside on the defensive line - were excellent at stunt games. And even though Miami doesn't have a secondary defensive lineman with Wilkins' pass-rush skill at the moment, Sieler raised an interesting point.
Asked if he's now the leader of the defensive front, Sieler mentioned Jaelan Phillips and Bradley Chubb, as well. But aren't they edges? And not defensive front players?
"How many of us rush the passer together?" Sieler said. "How many of us stop the run together? It takes the whole front. So we do lump all of us together in the d-line. Yes, Jaelan and Chubb may be a little more athletic than us. But, we're still d-linemen."
Sieler was, in fact, close with Wilkins.
"Yeah, obviously, it's one of those bittersweets," Sieler said. "It's awesome. I love playing with a guy, but I'll tell you it's great seeing him get paid somewhere else and make an impact over there. But in reality, this defense and this d-line has been built up. It's not just him or him and I or whoever inside. It takes a whole rotational front, it takes everybody up front. So it's been really cool getting to know these new guys coming in and learning their techniques and habits and how we can play off each other."
Sieler, 28, is still one of the most underrated defensive linemen in the NFL.
He's a former seventh-rounder from Ferris State.
He's got 20 sacks, 36 tackles for loss and is devastating against the run.
Miami Dolphins' Zach Sieler is still somehow underrated
Sieler will be playing in his third defensive system in three years - Josh Boyer to Vic Fangio to Anthony Weaver.
And so far, Weaver has made a good impression.
"It's been really cool seeing him come in and obviously him being a player and then him coaching now," Sieler said. "And being such an upfront mind. And seeing how he views everything. What he likes in the run game, what he likes in the pass game. How he likes to attack things or what his approach is, and then learning from him and kind of just seeing how can make our game go to the next level."
Joe Schad is a journalist covering the Miami Dolphins and the NFL at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at jschad@pbpost.com and follow him on Instagram and on X @schadjoe. Sign up for Joe's free weekly Dolphins Pulse Newsletter. Help support our work by subscribing today.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Zach Sieler of Miami Dolphins can take step toward stardom
