The biggest Achilles heel of the Miami Dolphins in 2016 was probably their rushing defense. The team finished 30th in stopping the run last season when they gave up an average of 140.4 yards on the ground.

Although the team did not workout in pads during OTAs (organized team activities) and mandatory minicamp, defensive end Cameron Wake is confident team will improve in that area next season.

“Consistency in that area is something that I know, as a whole — not just us but the entire defense — we have focused on,” Wake said last Thursday to reporters. “We like pass rushing. Everyone looks at that. That’s glamorous, that’s on the front page; but in order to get to that point where it’s third-and-long, you’ve got to get the job done and stop the run. That’s always going to be first on the list. I know probably the first day of training camp, that’s something we’ll be getting the pads strapped up on and working on to make better.”

During the offseason, the Dolphins made a number of moves hoping to improving their rushing defense. The team signed linebacker Lawrence Timmons and acquired defensive end William Hayes. Miami also drafted DE Charles Harris and LB Raekwon McMillan within the first two rounds of the draft.

The Dolphins expects these changes will improve their rushing defense, but there’s no way of knowing until training camp.