Dolphins have options with free agency linebackers | FinHeaven - Miami Dolphins Forums

Dolphins have options with free agency linebackers

Perfect72

Perfect72

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[h=2]When the free agency period opens in March, the Miami Dolphins are expected to be active in trying to overhaul their linebacker group.[/h][FONT=&quot]The Dolphins spent the 2016 season holding their linebacker group together with band aids. Koa Misi was in three games all season while Jelani Jenkins missed five. Misi and Jenkins both may not be back which would leave the Dolphins looking for an almost entirely new group at the position.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Miami fans remember quite well when the Dolphins played the merry-go-round at linebacker from 2010 to 2013 when they went through players like Tim Dobbins, Karlos Dansby, Dannelle Ellerbe, Phillip Wheeler, and Kevin Burnett. The Dolphins released both Dansby and Burnett in one off-season and then jettisoned Ellerbe and Wheeler two seasons later.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]
[/FONT][FONT=&quot]Since 2014 the Dolphins have relied primarily on Koa Misi and Jelani Jenkins with a mix of players in the middle. The Dolphins simply haven’t done enough to fix their linebacker group and as a result, they continue to rank near the league worst in stopping the run.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Will that change this off-season? Miami has tried before but failed. The Dolphins had a habit of buying free agents who didn’t fit their scheme and as a result they failed. Now with another off-season ahead, the Dolphins need to make big changes for the sake of their defense.
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[FONT=&quot]Newly promoted defensive coordinator Matt Burke says he wants a far more aggressive defense. Burke was in charge of the linebackers last year. If Burke is going to get his wish, he will need to significant upgrade his linebacker group.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Unfortunately for the Dolphins this years draft class isn’t loaded with linebacker like it was last year so the Dolphins will need to have a successful free agency period to fix this issue. And there will be options. The question will inevitably come down to how much the Dolphins want to allocate to the position.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Here is a look at the potential linebackers who might hit the open market in March. I won’t speculate on the potential salary that these players will get because the market will change and define the salaries this year.

More at LINK: http://phinphanatic.com/2017/01/14/miami-dolphins-options-free-agency-linebackers/

List of UFA Linebackers: LINK: http://www.spotrac.com/nfl/free-agents/linebacker/

Your thoughts? :ponder:[/FONT]
 
Looking at the list, I'd prefer Chandler Jones as a DE/OLB hybrid. Then, AJ Klein (Kuechly's backup) for MLB and slide Kiko to WLB.

Then draft either Foster or Anderson from Bama.

I'd keep Jenkins strictly as veteran depth but its time to move on from Misi.
 
I'd take two quality OLB prospects in the draft. Then a mike and and another OLB in FA. Re-sign Kiko. Not to versed on the college prospects this year but I do know there's always a few quality LBs to come out of the draft.

---------- Post added at 07:51 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:50 PM ----------

Jenkins is fairly cheap so keep him for depth. Misi either restructures or I see him gone, maybe gone either way.
 
An interesting one is Malcolm Smith from Oakland. I browsed the Raiders forums and they seem to like him but he struggled with no help from the other LB spots.

OLB seems to be thin for 4-3 players. May need to take a chance on a young guy like Mike Morgan or double down in the draft
 
Dolfan5000 said:
I'd take two quality OLB prospects in the draft. Then a mike and and another OLB in FA. Re-sign Kiko. Not to versed on the college prospects this year but I do know there's always a few quality LBs to come out of the draft.

---------- Post added at 07:51 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:50 PM ----------

Jenkins is fairly cheap so keep him for depth. Misi either restructures or I see him gone, maybe gone either way.
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Not re-signing Kiko...tender him at the highest tender for about $4 million next year and make him prove again that he can stay healthy. He missed a couple of games this year and we don't need another linebacker that can't stay healthy.

MLB should be the 1st pick for this team. If we can get a SLB later in the draft they should jump on that too.
 
datruth55 said:
Not re-signing Kiko...tender him at the highest tender for about $4 million next year and make him prove again that he can stay healthy. He missed a couple of games this year and we don't need another linebacker that can't stay healthy.

MLB should be the 1st pick for this team. If we can get a SLB later in the draft they should jump on that too.
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Cunningham and JT Watt. 1 and 2. I would love that
 
Misi has always been OK at OLB...not spectacular...just OK. That being said, I also think his injury is career ending. I don't see him coming back next year. As for Jenkins, he showed promise 2 years ago, but he looked lost in the defense this year before his injury. I don't think he's an answer as the starter.
 
montequi said:
Misi has always been OK at OLB...not spectacular...just OK. That being said, I also think his injury is career ending. I don't see him coming back next year. As for Jenkins, he showed promise 2 years ago, but he looked lost in the defense this year before his injury. I don't think he's an answer as the starter.
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It was reported by Jackson that although his injury at first thought might be career ending,it's not. I am not saying he is back here but think he may continue to play.
 
Unfortunately for the Dolphins this years draft class isn’t loaded with linebacker like it was last year
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**** you, Tannebaum/Grier. ****ing maggots.
 
nick1 said:
That's not what I heard. I heard this is very deep at LB. I guess it depends who you ask
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It's top heavy. Regardless, we needed two years of resources to fix the unit and we wasted last years with gadget players and trading away picks for a non-need.

This year is chockful with edge rushers.
 
Sons Of Shula said:
It's top heavy. Regardless, we needed two years of resources to fix the unit and we wasted last years with gadget players and trading away picks for a non-need.

This year is chockful with edge rushers.
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I hear ya. Well hopefully Cunningham is there. Hes a great pick for us. I was impressed by his tape
 
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