Counting down the top 25 players in the AFC East, one player at a time, one day at a time.

Why Cameron Wake?

I think the better question is "why doesn't Cameron Wake get the attention he deserves?"

The answer to that is relatively simple: he plays for a losing team, the Miami Dolphins, a team that hasn't been relevant since 2008 -- the year before Wake joined the team.

Other than that caveat, Wake has it all going for him. Wake plays one of the defensive "glamour" positions as a pass-rushing edge defender, and is one of the best at it in the game right now. He's put up monstrous numbers, with 43 sacks in his first four seasons, and is one of just seven players in NFL history to have two seasons of over 14 sacks in his first four seasons in the league.

He's also incredibly scheme flexible, having lined up in the 3-4 as an outside linebacker, and last year in the 4-3 as a defensive end. His versatility gives the Dolphins a world of options in how to execute their defensive scheme next season.

Stats website Pro Football Focus rated him among the best pass-rushers in the league at either spot, so the Dolphins would be getting bang for their buck without question.

The Dolphins made it a priority to improve their pass-rush by drafting DE/OLB hybrid Dion Jordan. How he fits in the defense remains to be seen, but if the two are feeding off one another, the possibilities are frightening for opposing quarterbacks. Wake could be headed for another huge season, and maybe then, he'll finally get the attention he deserves.

Did you know?

According to TurnOnTheJets.com, the New York Jets nearly signed Wake out of the CFL, before general manager Mike Tannenbaum said he didn't want him, which allowed the Dolphins to swoop in.

Bonus reading

Ben Stockwell of Pro Football Focus delivers a profile on Wake's strengths and weaknesses as a pass-rusher.

Check back every morning as we reveal one player a day on our way to No. 1 in the top 25.

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