The linebacker place for the Miami Dolphins was one the place many believed the group might seek for an improve this offseason.
In free company, as a substitute, the Dolphins determined to go the route of continuity, basically bringing again final season’s linebacker corps and permitting the likes of Bobby Wagner (from Seahawks to Rams) and Myles Jack (Jaguars to Steelers) to land elsewhere.
Inside linebackers Elandon Roberts and Duke Riley had been introduced again, as had been reserves Brennan Scarlett and Sam Eguavoen. The unit was already returning main tackler Jerome Baker and outdoors linebackers Jaelan Phillips and Andrew Van Ginkel.
While returning all of the linebacker corps’ most important contributors from 2021, it’s nonetheless a place the place the Dolphins might seek for a participant with considered one of their two middle-round draft picks in late April. Miami has decide No. 102 on the finish of the third spherical and a fourth-round choice, together with two seventh-rounders, the place a younger participant may very well be inserted into competitors.
An inside linebacker might present a chunk that rotates in with Roberts and Riley subsequent to Baker in a 3-4 defensive entrance, or give Baker the pliability to stretch out huge as an outdoor linebacker, as he typically did within the second half of final season. An additional exterior linebacker might improve the go rush already current with defensive finish Emmanuel Ogbah (team-leading 9 sacks in 2021), Phillips (8 1/2), Baker (5 1/2) and Van Ginkel (4) and preserve all of them recent in a rotation within the Dolphins’ blitz-heavy method.
The continuity permits the Dolphins protection to construct off the momentum of main the way in which to eight wins of their ultimate 9 video games final season. It maintains the identical system on that facet of the ball. Cornerbacks, with Xavien Howard touchdown a profitable extension this offseason, may be known as upon to defend in single protection. With Ogbah re-signed, the defensive position in entrance of the linebackers stays stout, whereas linebackers and even safeties are sometimes known as upon to hurry the passer.
“It was a great thing because I know all of those guys,” mentioned Roberts of the protection remaining intact. “You’ve got that team camaraderie with your defense. I’m glad we got all the guys back, and it’s going to be fun. The NFL changes every year, so to not have your defensive unit change that much is a good thing.”
Dolphins defensive coordinator Josh Boyer stays in that position within the transition from Brian Flores to Mike McDaniel as head coach. Linebackers coach Anthony Campanile additionally returns to instruct his unit, and Ty McKenzie was employed as exterior linebackers coach.
Baker, getting into his fifth season, returns his 92 tackles. Roberts, who was a Flores participant after spending three seasons with the previous Dolphins coach in New England when Flores was a Patriots assistant, was nonetheless introduced again amid the transition. The seventh-year professional brings management as a defensive captain final yr, alongside together with his 83 tackles, second amongst linebackers.
“You can start putting yourself and your defense in situations that you might have not been able to put in last year in OTAs,” mentioned Roberts concerning the continuity on the place amid a training change. “You had to start from the foundation. Every year, you still have to start with your foundation because guys have been off. You’ve just got to revamp things, but it’s a quicker process.”
With Phillips, a former Miami Hurricanes standout, heading into his second season and Van Ginkel his fourth, they’ll anchor the skin. Midseason, Riley was a revelation for high quality snaps inside that allowed Baker to rotate out. That may enable Phillips to place his hand within the floor because the hybrid edge defender that he’s, principally enjoying defensive finish when he broke via at UM in 2020 to turn into a first-round decide within the final yr’s draft.
Scarlett, who began 4 video games final season, offers depth, together with Eguavoen. Calvin Munson and Darius Hodge are different linebackers on the Dolphins roster this offseason that may compete come coaching camp.
Miami has additionally labored out a pair of linebackers, inside linebacker Reuben Foster and edge rusher Melvin Ingram, who may play defensive finish. It’s a sign the Dolphins are nonetheless on the lookout for additions on this group.
Previously addressed
Dolphins giving Tua Tagovailoa instruments to succeed heading into Year 3
Dolphins’ new-look backfield ought to profit from Mike McDaniel’s run sport
Dolphins have improved offensive line, however are nonetheless a chunk or two away up entrance
Dolphins returning final yr’s tight ends, however use of the unit might change in new offense
Dolphins crammed offseason receiver want with velocity; are they finished on the place?
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Source: www.bostonherald.com