MIAMI — The standard has been set, and now there’s a bar the Miami Dolphins defense must climb over.

Despite spending two seasons with two different defensive coordinators, and two seasons without a ton of the team’s top defenders, who were sidelined because of injuries, the Dolphins defense has managed to deliver a top-10 defense for two straight years.

That’s why the expectations for Anthony Weaver’s defense, which is beginning its second season with the fresh-faced defensive coordinator, is to produce another top-10 unit.

But to achieve that Miami needs to address some pressing questions about a unit that will be replacing Jalen Ramsey, Jevon Holland, Calais Campbell, Emmanuel Ogbah, Kendall Fuller, Jordan Poyer and Anthony Walker Jr., seven of last year’s 11 defensive starters.

Here is a look at the Miami Herald’s 10 pressing questions for the defense as we approach next Tuesday’s start of training camp. You can find a breakdown of the 10 pressing questions for the offense by clicking this link.

— 1. Can Jaelan Phillips and Bradley Chubb stay healthy enough to become impactful players?

Both of Miami’s top pass rushers have battled durability issues throughout their football careers, and were each sidelined by serious injuries in 2023 and 2024. Phillips sustained an ACL injury months after tearing an Achilles, and Chubb tore three ligaments in his right knee and has spent the 17 months rehabbing the injury. Considering each has the talent to produce 10 or more sacks if given a starter’s snaps it’s critical to this team’s success that both remain healthy. That’s why it wouldn’t be surprising to see their participation were limited during training camp and the exhibition season. Miami’s coaches realize they are better off with limited versions of both pass rushers than playing without them.

— 2. Will Zach Sieler become a camp hold-in as he pushes for a new deal with the Dolphins?

Sieler has spent the past three seasons establishing himself as one of the NFL’s top defensive tackles, which is why he and his agent have been pushing for him to be paid like one since January, when he concluded his second straight 10-sack season. Sieler’s guaranteed money has come to an end, so in an ideal world he would get an extension before the regular season arrives, and that extension would likely include a substantial raise. Sieler’s slated to make between $16 million and $18 million during the next two years, but that’s how much the NFL’s top-15 defensive tackles make per season. Will the Dolphins reward Sieler for his play and leadership, or force him to sit out all of training camp as he pushes for a new deal?

— 3. Will rookie defensive linemen Kenneth Grant, Jordan Phillips and maybe Zeek Biggers be capable of producing 400 impactful snaps each?

The Dolphins let four free agent defensive linemen leave this offseason and replaced them with three drafted nose tackles. All three are expected to become starters, or rotational players as rookies, and the hope is that they will be quick learners. Defensive linemen the Dolphins have drafted in the first five rounds have contributed 400 to 500 snaps on defense the past decade so it would be a massive surprise if Miami didn’t get that type of contribution from Grant, the team’s first-round pick, and Phillips, a fifth-rounder from Maryland. Biggers will more than likely serve as Benito Jones’ understudy at nose tackle, which is a position that takes a year or two to learn.

— 4. Can Jordyn Brooks and Tyrel Dodson create a chemistry that helps the Dolphins’ defense blossom?

Brooks and Dodson both had impressive, breakout seasons in 2024. Brooks was Miami’s most consistent coverage specialist and a tackling machine. Dodson, who logged his first 100-tackle season in the games he played for Seattle and Miami, also pulled down three interceptions in the eight games and 251 defensive snaps he played for Miami. The biggest concern about Brooks and Dodson working together is that they have similar skill sets, primarily excelling as coverage experts. Miami will need someone to sniff out runs close and makes plays close to the line of scrimmage.

— 5. Which cornerbacks will step forward and establish themselves as Miami’s three starters?

Trading Ramsey this offseason and cutting Fuller leaves Kader Kohou, a three-year starter who has been mainly used as a nickel cornerback, as the most experiment prominent cornerback in the room. Former Hurricanes standout Artie Burns and Kendall Sheffield have more experience, but both have bounced around the NFL the past few seasons. We will likely learn why they bounced around during training camp and the exhibition season. We will also discover if Cam Smith, Miami’s 2023 second-round pick, is officially a bust, if Jason Marshall Jr. is ready to contribute as a rookie and whether three undrafted cornerbacks — Ethan Bonner, Storm Duck and Isaiah Johnson — have what it takes to be NFL contributors?

— 6. Has Minkah Fitzpatrick lost a step, and will his leadership and communication skills allow him to sew up Miami’s secondary?

Miami reacquired Fitzpatrick from the Steelers because general manager Chris Grier has always been a fan of his skill set, makeup and football intellect. It doesn’t hurt that the free safety is a five-time Pro Bowl selection and someone who had established himself as a impactful leader in Pittsburgh. Miami needs Fitzpatrick’s communication skills and versatility to tighten up a secondary that will likely feature 3-4 other first-time starters. Fitzpatrick has a knack for producing turnovers, and that’s just what Weaver’s defense was missing last year.

— 7. Which safety earns the starting spot opposite Fitzpatrick?

Ashtyn Davis and Ifeatu Melifonwu signed with Miami this offseason with the expectations that they would serve as the Dolphins’ two starting safeties. But Fitzpatrick’s addition only leaves room for one, and it will probably come down to who complements Fitzpatrick the best. Melifonwu has more range and position versatility, but Davis plays with power, and that’s appealing to a team that hopes to shed its soft-finesse reputation in 2025. We shouldn’t overlook Elijah Campbell either because Weaver has been a fan of his work since joining the team a year ago.

— 8. Has Chop Robinson become an every-down player, handling himself better against the run?

Robinson, the Dolphins’ 2024 first-round pick, blossomed as a pass rushing force in the second half of his rookie season, contributing six sacks and 42 quarterback hurries in 2024. But despite Miami’s lack of capable edge rushers last season he only started one game, and that was likely because of his struggles against the run. If Robinson can do a better job setting the edge of Miami’s defensive front he might be used on all three downs this season. Miami should have a better understanding of the strides he has made in the exhibition season, when the action is live.

— 9. If Kohou is forced to play on the boundary, which defensive back steps up and becomes the new nickel cornerback?

Burns and Melifonwu are the other defensive backs who have experience playing the nickel in the NFL, covering the opponent’s slot receivers. This is an important spot in every NFL defense because of how prominent three-receiver sets have become. The nickel cornerback usually plays 600-plus snaps a season. If Kohou is Miami’s best boundary cornerback he would probably prefer to stay outside because boundary cornerbacks get paid more than nickel cornerbacks and he’s slated to become an unrestricted free agent next offseason.

— 10. Do the Dolphins have the personnel and versatility to play multiple defensive fronts?

Miami supposed to be running a hybrid 3-4 defense, but that package requires the personnel to play multiple fronts. The departure of Ogbah, who signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars as a free agent, and Calais Campbell, who signed with the Arizona Cardinals, leaves Miami short of traditional 3-4 defensive ends. While Chubb, Phillips and Sieler have the talent to play the three- and the five-technique fluidly, in spurts, it would be ideal if another big man stepped up and showed he could effectively set the edge. Matt Dickerson, Ben Stille or Grayson Murphy could make the 53-man roster if they have a solid camp and exhibition season showing as edge setters.

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