Dolphins Showing Faith in Brandon Pili
JEFF ROMANCE/THE PALM BEACH POST / USA TODAY NETWORK
The Miami Dolphins are starting to trim the excess fat from their defensive tackle rotation. This became evident on Tuesday when the team announced that they released nose tackle Teair Tart. The 27-year-old signed with the Dolphins in early April and was supposed to help bolster Miami’s depth on the interior defensive line. Tart was once considered to be among the better run-stopping defensive tackles in the league after a breakout year in 2022 with the Tennessee Titans.
Despite being a key free agent addition for the Dolphins, Tart’s release was not a surprise. When Tart arrived at OTAs, the Miami Herald’s Omar Kelly noticed that Tart appeared to be out of shape. “At the end of Tuesday’s practice, the Dolphins defensive linemen did sprints to each sideline and Tart was generally 20 yards behind the pack,” Kelly said. Tart also reportedly struggled with conditioning during his time in Tennessee, so it’s fair to assume that similar issues plagued him in Miami.
So how does this move impact the Dolphins moving forward? From a financial standpoint, this transaction had little impact on the salary cap because Chris Grier signed Tart to a one-year, $1.292 million prove-it deal with only $567,500 in guaranteed money at signing. What this transaction does show is that the Phins have faith in nose tackle Brandon Pili, with Tart’s departure clearing the way for Pili to once again make the 53-man roster.
One could argue that Tart’s departure has no correlation with the ascension of Pili. If Teair’s conditioning was substandard, Miami could have simply released Tart regardless of how well Pili performed in practice. Even though Tart was a notable addition to the defensive line, he was never guaranteed to be a starter in Anthony Weaver’s defense. Therefore, Teair was never truly a lock to make the team and needed to earn his spot on the roster like all the other players on the roster bubble. He didn’t.
There’s a statement I made back in late-May in regards to Tart that is now more relevant than ever: “There will always be someone willing to take your job if you’re not willing to fight for it.” I also predicted that Teair would get cut after training camp in favor of an undrafted free agent who wanted to make the roster more than he did. Sure enough, my prediction came to fruition.
Miami brought in Pili as an undrafted free agent in 2023 and gave him $100,000 guaranteed at signing – which is a hefty sum for a UDFA. Aside from Zeke Vandenburgh, who received an unprecedented three-year, $2.697 million deal, Pili was the second-highest paid player from the Dolphins 2023 UDFA class. It’s clear the Dolphins have long thought highly of Pili and the potential he brings to the team.
The potential Brandon Pili displayed at USC translated to immediate preseason production in his rookie year. In a preseason game against the Houston Texans, Pili proved that he’s more than capable against the run. He showed off impressive lateral quickness for a player of his size, and consistently controlled multiple gaps. Pili’s advanced understanding of how to use leverage and proper hand placement to his advantage allowed him to wreak havoc on the interior.
Brandon Pili continues to impress. I’m very confident he makes the 53 man roster. The way that, at his size, he laterally moves across the line is so impressive. He consistently controls multiple gaps and because of good leverage/hand usage is able to shed & attack at any time. pic.twitter.com/tdU0qzw4LQ
— King of Phinland🐬👑 (@KingOfPhinland) August 21, 2023
Even with Christian Wilkins and Zach Sieler firmly entrenched as starters, Pili impressed the coaches enough to make the Dolphins’ 53-man roster. In 2023, Brandon hardly saw the field and didn’t have a consistent role on defense as a rookie. However, with the departure of Wilkins and Sieler playing less at nose tackle and more at defensive end, Miami now has a greater need for quality depth at the nose tackle position.
Tart appeared to be the favorite to win the Dolphins backup nose tackle job in May. However, Miami’s decision to cut him has paved the way for Pili to make the 53-man roster once again, allowing Brandon to potentially earn a more consistent role in his sophomore campaign. Most importantly, Tuesday’s transaction shows that the Phins are putting a lot of faith in Pili being a key rotation player on the defensive line.
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