Miami Dolphins cornerback Rasul Douglas has just won the AFC Defensive Player of the Week award for his efforts in the win against the Jets. Douglas finished the Week 14 contest against the Jets with an interception and a season-high five passes defended.
The interception was his second of the season after getting his first against the Saints last week. Douglas didn’t register an interception in 15 games with the Bills last season.
The Miami Dolphins’ defense
GettyThe Miami Dolphins defense
Rasul Douglas has been one of the primary reasons the Dolphins’ defense has improved throughout the year. Miami allowed 29.2 points per game in their first seven games of the season. They have allowed 15.1 points per game in their last six games.
This turnaround has come as a surprise to many, especially since the Dolphins traded away talented pass-rusher Jaelan Phillips in the middle of the year. While giving up a talented player is always a blow to a team, it did give other Dolphins defenders an opportunity to step up. Second-year player Chop Robinson has been one of those who has stepped up. He’s registered 2.5 sacks in the three games he’s played in since Phillips was traded.
Stopping the run had been the Dolphins defense primary issue earlier in the year. They allowed 100 or more rushing yards in their first seven games. They’ve only allowed that figure twice in their last six games.
The secondary has also been much improved as players have become familiar with the system defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver is running. That had been an issue for the team earlier in the year, as Weaver said following the Dolphins collapse against the Chargers in Week 6 “There are times in that game when you’re watching tape and you want to throw up.”
Rasul Douglas’ season
The Dolphins cornerback has been a steady force on the outside for the defense. He signed just a couple of weeks prior to the season and became a starter following the injury to Storm Duck. The veteran is currently graded as the fifth-best cornerback in the NFL according to Pro Football Focus.
He arrived in Miami following a two-year stint with the Buffalo Bills. Dolphins fans may recall that Miami and Douglas were in constant communication throughout the offseason, until the previously mentioned deal came to fruition just before the year started. According to ESPN’s Josina Anderson, Douglas had interest from multiple teams, and even rejected Miami’s initial offer before ultimately deciding to sign.
Despite perhaps not being his first choice, the veteran cornerback has been a positive surprise at the position. The 30-year-old cornerback likely played himself into a raise, as he’s a free agent following the year. Whether that’s with the Dolphins remains to be seen, as the general manager who pushed for his signing has since been let go. The other starting cornerback for the Dolphins is Jack Jones, who’s also set to be a free agent. Running it back with their tandem doesn’t seem as bleak as it did entering the year, but after their performances, both will likely command a higher price.
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