National outlet tabs Miami Dolphins player most underrated, and despite two straight strong years, they're right

The Miami Dolphins suffered a big blow to their roster when DT Christian Wilkins left in free agency last offseason, signing a 4-year, $110 million deal with the Las Vegas Raiders.  

However, despite the substantial loss the team took on with their 2019 first round pick leaving town, there was still a strong presence in the middle of the defensive line. 

Zach Sieler, despite the understandable disappointment fans have experienced with Wilkins' departure, has been a steady force in the middle of Miami's defense and has come into his own over the last two seasons. 

Still, Sieler - who the team reached a 3-year, $38.65 million extension with before the 2023 season - hasn't gotten enough credit for his contributions, and one national outlet recognizes that.  Pro Football Focus put out their list of most underrated players on each team, and Sieler was their choice for the Dolphins. 

This is what PFF had to say about Sieler: 

Sieler has been a workhorse on Miami’s defensive line for the past three seasons, and while that hasn’t always led to the most efficient production, he did come through in that regard this past season, delivering a 71.5 PFF pass-rush grade (24th), which led to a position-leading 13 total sacks in 2024.

This was not just a result of high-end snaps, either. Sieler played more than 100 fewer pass-rush snaps than in each of his past two seasons. His 78.9 PFF overall grade was also the second best of his career and ranked tied for 11th at his position in 2024. - Jonathon Macri, Pro Football Focus

To be clear, Sieler had 10 sacks in 2024 rather than 13, but still, double digit sacks on the interior is very impressive.  And it's even more impressive when you consider the context of it.  Sieler posted 10 in 2023 as well, but he had Wilkins alongside of him to take the pressure off.  Last year, he had to shoulder a lot more of the burden with Wilkins gone, but he still managed to turn in the same sack total in 102 fewer pass rushing snaps from 2023 (573) to 2024 (471).

Dolphins fans know Sieler well and adore him for his effort and output not just over the last two years, but since he caught on with the team back in 2019.  It's time that fans of the rest of the NFL start to gain more of an appreciation for what he's done.