This EDGE Rusher on the Miami Dolphins Has a Chance to Prove That He’s Not a 2024 Cap Casualty

The 6th seed Miami Dolphins travel to Arrowhead Stadium to face the 3rd seed Kansas City Chiefs on Saturday at 7 P.M. central time.

Miami’s pass rush has been phenomenal this season. They are ranked 13th in hurries, 2nd in quarterback knockdowns, 3rd in pressures, 4th in pressure percentage, 10th in pass rush win rate, and 3rd in sacks.

Unfortunately, their top three EDGE rushers are out for the remainder of the season. Jaelan Phillips tore his Achilles in Week 12, Bradley Chubb tore his ACL in Week 17, and Andrew Van Ginkel suffered a foot injury in Week 18.

The Dolphins will have to rely on this 8-year veteran to step up in the playoffs and prove that he’s not a cap casualty. His name is Emmanuel Ogbah.

The Miami Dolphins signed him in 2020

Miami signed Emmanuel Ogbah to a 2-year, $15 million contract during the 2020 offseason. Ogbah appeared in every game and started 12 during the 2020 season. He had 42 tackles, six for a loss, 21 quarterback hits, nine sacks, five pass deflections, three forced fumbles, and 36 pressures.

Ogbah appeared in every game and started 11 during the 2021 season. He had 41 tackles, nine for a loss, 24 quarterback hits, 12 pass deflections, one forced fumble, and 39 pressures.

Ogbah signed a 4-year, $65.4 million contract extension during the 2022 offseason.

Ogbah suffered a triceps injury in 2022

Ogbah appeared in nine games and started three during the 2022 season. He had 11 tackles, one for a loss, seven quarterback hits, one sack, and nine pressures. He suffered a torn triceps in Week 10 and missed the remainder of the 2022 season.

Ogbah’s production has dipped this season

Since the Dolphins hired Vic Fangio as their defensive coordinator, Ogbah’s role has diminished because Fangio’s scheme utilizes athletic edge defenders and those who can drop back into coverage instead of a traditional 3-4 defensive end (like Ogbah).

Ogbah has appeared in 15 games and started one this season. He has 20 tackles, three for a loss, nine quarterback hits, 5.5 sacks, one interception, two pass deflections, one forced fumble, and 15 pressures, and represents 22.26% of defensive snaps.

Ogbah suffered a hamstring injury in Week 15 and missed Week 16. He was a healthy scratch in Week 17. Here’s what Ogbah said about him getting benched against Baltimore:

“It was tough,” Ogbah said about last week’s benching. “It is what it is. But I’m excited for opportunities. Whatever they need me to do I’m ready to do it. And I’ve been ready all year.”

Ogbah is under a lot of pressure

Emmanuel Ogbah is under a lot of pressure to succeed against Kansas City. He is fighting for a spot on the Miami Dolphins’ defense. If he can play well, Miami may end up keeping him. If he doesn’t play well, he will likely be a cap casualty during the 2024 offseason.

Will Emmanuel Ogbah rise to the occasion against the team that allows the 2nd-fewest sacks and has the highest pass block win rate?

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