Bryan Cox arrived in Miami as a fifth-round pick out of Western Illinois in 1991 and started right away as a rookie. He played in 13 games that year and recorded 61 tackles and two sacks while the Dolphins finished 8-8. The following season he took a major step forward.

In 1992, he posted 14 sacks, 127 combined tackles, and five forced fumbles, earning first-team All-Pro and his first Pro Bowl nod. Approximate Value for the year was 17. He stayed productive over the next three seasons, making two more Pro Bowls while regularly posting triple-digit tackle totals and adding another 14.5 sacks in that stretch. Cox played with an aggressive, physical style that made him a constant presence against both the run and the pass, and he was known for his intensity and willingness to get after opponents. Those middle years kept him as one of the more reliable pieces in Miami’s front seven, with the Dolphins reaching the playoffs in two of those three seasons. He also forced 12 fumbles and recovered six during his time in Miami, numbers that reflected how often he was around the ball.

After the 1995 season, he left as a free agent and signed with the Chicago Bears. He later played for the Jets and Patriots, where he helped lead them to a Super Bowl XXXVI win.

With the Dolphins, he finished with 31.5 sacks and 529 tackles across 77 starts.