Miami’s interior line is a work in progress as Zach Sieler anchors the push and rookies Kenneth Grant and Jordan Phillips absorb the NFL pace. Run defense has struggled against Jets and Bills, but second-half steadiness hints at growth.

McDaniel leaves the door open for Wilkins while banking on the rookies. For fantasy, track snap splits and rotation vs the Panthers—early-season growth could stabilize the run defense and boost weekly ceilings for the Dolphins.

Two weeks into the season, the Raiders’ defensive line is stealing headlines. Jonah Laulu has surged to the forefront with 3 sacks, sitting just behind the league leaders, while Thomas Booker IV has flashed elite interior pressure after a camp trade for Jakorian Bennett. Las Vegas has also benefited from the Wilkins release and big paydays for Crosby, Butler, and Koonce, fueling a top-5 run defense early.

Early returns point to a transformative interior rush for Las Vegas, with Laulu and Booker forming a dynamic pair that could lift the unit all season. If the trend holds, the Raiders’ schemed pressure and run-stopping ability may redefine the defense in fantasy alike.

Pittsburgh’s defense has been hammered early, exposing a thin interior and a rookie’s absence as the run game bites and the pass rush stalls. Free agent Christian Wilkins, released by the Raiders after a foot injury and rehab questions, could become a low‑risk upgrade if he’s healthy and motivated.

A healthy Wilkins would force double teams, clog gaps, and widen lanes for edge rushers, potentially stabilizing a unit that fantasy managers and bettors alike have watched crumble. The Steelers will weigh health, cost, and commitment before any move.

Las Vegas’ defensive-tackle depth is under the microscope as training camp unfolds. Christian Wilkins was released after a protracted foot injury, leaving Adam Butler as the presumed starter and a rotation of bodies behind him. Leki Fotu has been in a walking boot with no clear return timeline. J.J. Pegues, Jonah Laulu, Tonka Hemingway, Zach Carter, and fourth-rounder Tonka Hemingway are all in the mix, with Thomas Booker and Keondre Coburn pushing for roster spots. The Raiders even swapped for Booker in a trade with Philadelphia, sending corner Jakorian Bennett the other way.

Fan polls show a strong push to add a DT before Week 1, and the 53-man cut on August 26 should trigger at least one move. The Seattle preseason game offered a glimpse of a committee rather than a single pillar, signaling a fantasy angle centered on multi-man interior reps rather than a clear-cut starter. Butler provides floor reliability; the rookies offer speculative upside in deeper formats if they climb into significant run defense snaps.