Are Dolphins done at linebacker after adding David Long inside, Malik Reed outside this offseason?

byDuc Manh •May 05, 2023

0

Linebacker was recognized to be a place the place change was coming this offseason for the Miami Dolphins, particularly inside linebacker.

The Dolphins, transitioning to Vic Fangio as defensive coordinator, received extra athletic on the place in signing David Lengthy Jr., previously of the Tennessee Titans, whereas letting Elandon Roberts go to the Pittsburgh Steelers in free company.

Lengthy can instantly be plugged into the beginning lineup alongside Jerome Baker inside. On the sting, Miami returns a standout tandem of Bradley Chubb and Jaelan Phillips that's anticipated to supply of their first full season collectively.

Behind Baker and Lengthy, the Dolphins re-signed Duke Riley at inside linebacker, plus they've 2022 third-round decide Channing Tindall again after he barely performed defensively as a rookie. At exterior linebacker, Miami introduced again Andrew Van Ginkel and acquired Malik Reed to offer depth and a rotation when Chubb and Phillips want a breather.

A call on veteran former Professional Bowler Melvin Ingram, who spent 2022 with the Dolphins, may very well be pending too, however he lately launched a tweet that appeared to point talks between him and the group could also be dormant: “I actually performed for 3 groups in 2 years! Rattling no one wanna hold the child.”

With one inside linebacker in and one out, it’s not out of the realm of risk the Dolphins eye the place with certainly one of their first two of 4 complete alternatives within the draft, both within the second or third spherical. Common supervisor Chris Grier likes to pick his perceived finest participant out there anyway as a substitute of specializing in the highest place of want, which can be tight finish or offensive line heading into the draft.

Lengthy, if he can stay wholesome after a number of hamstring accidents, can present a spark to Miami’s protection as an undersized linebacker that's strong in each side of the place, whether or not tackling, in protection, plugging gaps in run protection and offering closing pace in pursuit. The Dolphins have to cowl higher on the linebacker place after a tough 2022 season in that division for the unit.

Lengthy is constructed rather a lot like Baker, whose base wage turned assured March 19 and seems to be surviving the transition to Fangio from earlier defensive coordinator Josh Boyer. Baker could also be used much less on the blitz below Fangio after he had 16 1/2 sacks over the previous three seasons below Boyer.

Riley returns in a rotational position after pitching in with 41 tackles, plus 4 extra on particular groups, as a reserve linebacker behind Baker and Roberts the previous two seasons. With Roberts’ departure, the Dolphins could have a void to fill of a pacesetter, captain and stout tackler that tallied 104 in 2022.

Tindall’s athleticism may make him a match for Fangio, and he entered the offseason with an thought of what he wants to enhance on so as to turn out to be a constant defensive contributor.

Phillips had seven sacks in his second NFL season, and Chubb had simply 2 1/2 in eight video games with Miami the second half of the yr, however Fangio’s protection may simplify the go rush for the tandem whereas they get a full offseason to work on complementing one another on reverse edges.

Reed comes over from a down season with the Steelers, however his finest campaigns have been below Fangio with the Denver Broncos, so he’s reunited together with his former coach and with Chubb.

The Dolphins additionally return 2022 seventh-round draft decide Cameron Goode after he spent the previous season on the apply squad.

As Ingram’s standing can be up within the air, Sam Eguavoen, a Dolphins particular teamer with sporadic defensive taking part in time since 2019, stays a free agent this offseason.