Miami Dolphins Top 10 players countdown: No. 2 Zach Sieler is 'heartbeat of our defense'
MIAMI GARDENS — When the Miami Dolphins claimed defensive tackle Zach Sieler from the Baltimore Ravens on December 5, 2019, nobody had any idea they had made one of the best waiver claims in franchise history.
"He is the heartbeat of our defense," Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver said of Sieler, after he was named 2024 team MVP in a vote of media. "He holds down the middle and obviously just shows up week-in and week-out and affects the game in a positive manner."
Sieler has 20 sacks in each of the past two seasons. He's done it with heralded Christian Wilkins by his side and he's done it with aging unicorn Calais Campbell by his side.
Sieler, 29, is powerful and quick and relentless. His motor has always been non-stop.
"He continues to find ways to elevate his game which is why he's such an important part of what we do from a football team perspective and in particular, defensively," coach Mike McDaniel said, when Sieler was named MVP. "Some of the stuff that he does allows you to play different coverages. That's a pretty impactful player when your ability to do your job as an interior defensive lineman can give a defensive play caller freedom on non-pass exclusive downs to play all sorts of different things."
Sieler was once a seventh-round pick from Ferris State.
And now he's a key captain of the Dolphins. It's truly a remarkable story.
Why Zach Sieler is 2nd-best Miami Dolphins player
Sieler has played with some big names on the Dolphins defense.
He's played with Wilkins, Campbell, Bradley Chubb, Jaelan Phillips, Xavien Howard, Jalen Ramsey, Jevon Holland. And yet he has always been as good as anyone on the field for Miami.
Almost always overshadowed. Almost always a force.
Sieler is a quiet leader. But he leads by example in every right way possible.
"He's a captain in more ways than one," McDaniel said. "He's a captain in how you conduct yourself. You want an example of how to flourish in the National Football League, how to go about the daily process, how to invest in your own game, he is a prime example."
Telling Stat
No Miami Dolphins defensive tackle has ever had more than 10 sacks in a season.
Zach Sieler has had 10 - twice.
How we see Zach Sieler's Dolphins future
Sieler has made $26.8 million in his career, according to Spotrac.
Sieler has two years left on a deal that pays $10.25 million per season, a very good bargain for Miami.
Sieler is a player who should end his career as a Dolphin. It would be a shame if money, at some point, gets in the way of that.
Either way, Sieler has been one of the most underrated defensive players in the NFL for years.
And the Dolphins are extremely fortunate to have him.
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Joe Schad is a journalist covering the Miami Dolphins and the NFL at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at jschad@pbpost.com and follow him on Instagram and on X @schadjoe. Sign up for Joe's free weekly Dolphins Pulse Newsletter. Help support our work by subscribing today.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: What makes Miami Dolphins Zach Sieler one of NFL's best DTs
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