Top 25 Miami Dolphins players countdown: No. 16 is Zach Sieler
This is The Palm Beach Post's Top 25 countdown of Dolphins players entering the 2022 season. We'll reveal multiple players each week throughout the summer, as ranked by our reporters using a simple criterion: Who's the better player right now?
Zach Sieler was graded by Pro Football Focus as the third-best interior defensive lineman in the NFL in 2021, behind only Aaron Donald and Cam Heyward.
Sieler is easily the most underrated Dolphin.
And Sieler is easily one of the most underrated defensive players in the NFL.
Not bad for a former Ravens' seventh-rounder from Ferris State.
"I like to keep growing," Sieler said last spring, regarding his Miami contract extension. "I like to look back on times from before to always have that fire driving me, to just see where I came from and keep growing from there. Just keep going.”
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Sieler plays defensive tackle and defensive end.
Sieler is excellent against the run and constantly drives offensive linemen backward when rushing the passer.
Sieler brings relentless motor and strength and effort.
"Work ethic," Dolphins edge rusher Emmanuel Ogbah said of Sieler. "He’s a hard worker, nose in the ground and comes to do work."
Why we ranked Zach Sieler 16th
Sieler (pronounced SEE-ler) is a highly productive player.
Once a practice squad member of the Ravens, Sieler tied for second on the Dolphins in 2020 with 11 quarterback hits and led the team with 11 tackles for loss. Sieler did this in only 52% of defensive snaps played.
Last season, Sieler increased his tackles from 48 to 62, batted three passes, forced one fumble, recovered two and added two sacks.
Sieler is very responsible against the run. Coaches say he's tough, strong at the point of attack and plays with very good fundamentals and technique. They note strong hand placement, footwork, an ability to lock linemen out, release and make stops.
Where we see Zach Sieler headed
Adding to Sieler's legend is that he and his then-fiancé once lived in an RV while he was playing for the Dolphins.
Sieler also hunts hogs and alligators at Clay Gully Outfitters in Central Florida. It's the largest free-range, private-land gator hunting outfitter in Florida.
And Sieler is an owner.
The only thing smarter than general manager Chris Grier claiming Sieler on waivers from Baltimore was signing him to an incredibly reasonable extension.
It will make great sense to consider extending Sieler even further at the conclusion of the 2022 season. Sieler is outstanding in a rotation with such players as Christian Wilkins and Raekwon Davis, who were first- and second-round draft choices.
Sieler is a great teammate who sets an example in practice and on Sundays. He is extremely motivated. And he causes consistent havoc.
That's why Miami coaches and players trust him.
Joe Schad is a journalist at The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA Today Florida Network. You can reach him at jschad@pbpost.com. Help support our journalism. Subscribe today.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Miami Dolphins Top 25 players summer countdown includes Tua Tagovailoa
