Phillip Merling, the draft's 32nd pick, represents the future of the Miami Dolphins defense. He's the epitome of the stout 3-4 run-stuffing defensive end this regime wants to build its defensive front line around. That's why I suspect Merling's rate of development will parallel the rate of the defense's improvement in the coming seasons.
Right now, Merling's the first to admit he's got plenty to learn. But according to defensive line coach Kacy Rodgers, the upside is there.
"I'm getting to learn behind Vonnie Holliday, and getting some good reads from the offensive linemen, going against the ones," said Merling, whose draft stock fell to the second-round because of a sports hernia that limited his workouts.
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