Davon Godchaux

Jabrill Peppers is trending up, Mac Jones and JuJu Smith-Schuster down as the Patriots hit the halfway point of this season.

There are many reasons for GM Chris Grier and coach Brian Flores to be even more critical in analyzing roster turnover this offseason.

The Dolphins won five of their last nine games last season largely due to Flores' mantras, which now must be passed on to new players.

Miami has an NFL-worst 22 sacks and the 27th-ranked rushing defense. Its defense will never be effective if it doesn't fix the line.

Miami's top pick has struggled against the likes of Mashal Yanda and Zack Martin but is "getting better" despite early frustration.

Some turn off phones, some try to have fun, many don't respond to "Twitter Tough Guys," but the majority of players see toxic comments.

“We’re deep,” defensive tackle Davon Godchaux said. “I feel confident we’ve got a pretty good group and I’m excited about it.”

Miami’s immediate goals are polishing the players who are part of its new foundation and finding some diamonds in the rough.

Defensive coordinator Patrick Graham wants tougher players. It won’t be a quick fix for Miami, which was 29th in defense last season.

When Vincent Taylor was placed on injured reserve with a foot injury, the Dolphins' struggling run defense got a little worse.

It was a long journey from New Orleans to San Antonio, where he started playing football and soon leaped to college and the NFL.

The Patriots outgained the Dolphins, 449 yards to 172, and crushed the Dolphins' hopes of taking command of the AFC East.

The Dolphins' defensive line is thriving under a group mentality instituted by first-year Dolphins’ defensive line coach Kris Kocurek.