Jenkins, Tripp,McCain and Misi, are we set at LB?

[Danny]

I think Jenkins will be a solid LB for years to come and Misi has played well too. McCain has shown flashes. We don't know what we have with Tripp yet but next year will tell us more. Do you guys feel that we need to draft one high or get one in free agency? I think these 4 guys can be solid, however, to have a great defense you need a playmaking LB. Not sure any of these 4 will be that or not. Imo, McCain has the best chance at that but we don't know yet. Anyway, do you see a playmaking LB as a priority?

 

[BAdkins159]

I like the LB's but I don't love them. Probably will need to be tweaked a little during the offseason.

 

[danstilldaman]

Absolutely no question about it we need to draft a linebacker. Has been a glaring weakness for a long time Jenkins has been a great surprise though.

 

[finfan54]

IMO, CB has become more of a prob with Finnegan looking more like he may not be here.

But for me, it will be BPA in the first round leaning defense but what I am looking for from Hickey is conviction on his guy regardless of position.

In other words, If he thinks he has a PB type player at TE, G, RB, DT, ect ect. then take that player as long as you find more guys like Landry in second rounds and good undrafted finds. Just like Ireland did. Yes, thats right, I said it.

---------- Post added at 01:32 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:31 PM ----------

btw, who drafted Jenkins? what round?

 

[Zounds]

Jenkins and Misi have been solid, and even if you are ok with them as long-term starters in their positions (I'm not), that still leaves one LB position up for grabs. Tripp and McCain may eventually develop into starters, but you cant count on that with 100% certainty. With Wheeler and Ellerbe likely gone after this year, I think we still need to add a few players to the LB corps - maybe one vet and one drafted player.

 

[dolpns13]

Jenkins and Misi have been solid, and even if you are ok with them as long-term starters in their positions (I'm not), that still leaves one LB position up for grabs. Tripp and McCain may eventually develop into starters, but you cant count on that with 100% certainty. With Wheeler and Ellerbe likely gone after this year, I think we still need to add a few players to the LB corps - maybe one vet and one drafted player.

You dont like Jenkins as a long term starter? IN his second year, ranked 11th in the league in tackles and tied for third with a bunch of other players for FF, and has one sack less than the vaunted Clay Matthews. Patrick Willis's and Ray Lewis's dont come around every year.

 

[MRojas4]

Biggest needs for team heading into the FA/Draft will be CB, LB, DT, OG

CB we will likely draft early to go after a young FA.

LB we likely draft mid rounds unless we land one of the prime time prospects. Doubtfull if we draft late first.

DT again likely mid round pick, Starks is likely cut and Odrick brought back on decent money. Maybe go after a younger rotation DT in FA.

OG is a toss up. All depends on how the staff feels on Turner. Many think it will be (LT - Albert, LG - Turner, C - Pouncey, RG - Shelley, RT - James)


Also for the 50th time. Wheeler will be on this team next year unless the staff just flat out hates him. For the $200K cap savings we got by cutting him, he can at worst be a bench player.

 

[Zounds]

You dont like Jenkins as a long term starter?

I was referring to Misi at Mike. And Jenkins has been solid, but if an Derrick Brooks comes around you take him. I think Jenkins will be a good player, but probably wont ever be a great player. So to answer your question, I dont think Misi and Jenkins have done enough yet to make us completely ignore their positions in the offseason.

 

[JTech194]

We need to upgrade the MLB position. I like Misi, but we need a game changer at the MLB stop. Add young potential starters at OLB as depth behind Jenkins and I like McCain but haven't seen enough to not attempt to upgrade the position so we need to Draft a MBL and OLB early.

 

[Danny]

I'm on board with going BPA.

 

[The Bopkin]

People have been talking about DT as a need, and I get it. But as far as adding for next year - we have 2 DT's in waiting, don't we? The undrafted Anthony Johnson DT from LSU who is on the roster, and didn't we IR another Johnson DT who played well in pre-season? I thought that was a way to keep him on the team til next year. So, Mitchell and a re-signed Odrick, Johnson and Johnson, that is four, that's what we have on the roster now. It wouldn't hurt to grab one either cheap FA or mid/late round, but I don't know about round one or two if we sign Odrick. Also, is Fede a potential DT, or is he strictly DE?
Also, as far as LB, we HAVE to consider putting Dion Jordan at LB. HAVE to. He is not effective at DE, though he could play there some in a rotation on passing downs to get the most explosive athletes on the field. So there'd be Vernon/Odrick/Mitchell/Wake DL(Johnson,Johnson, Fede) Jenkins, Misi, Jordan LB(Tripp,McCain) We need to think about replacing Wheeler, Ellerbe, Freeny, Shelby if we lose them/cut them.

 

[Bob512]

We have to upgrade at linebacker. Need a solid run stopper in the middle who can run that defense. Perhaps some of the young guys could develop into it, but I would definitely draft someone if they were the BPA.

 

[Coach_Rob]

really like Jenkins. would love to draft Scooby Wright III from arizona

 

[Coolguy3]

I like the fact that the Dolphins are really close to being able to take BPA. It's a really nice feeling and that's how teams stay at the top year and year out. Proper coaching and skies the limit. Benton has been a God send.

With that said, we haven't had a stud LB since Zach and I really would love to have a stud LB holding down the defense and then draft a CB, OG, RB.

 

[Travis34]

I love Jenkins and hope he keeps getting better. But I believe Misi may be better outside and does seem to be injury prone... We need a long term stud MLB and it would go a long ways.

Need to see what McCain (and maybe Jordan) have to offer next year too. It would be interesting to see us run a 34 but with our personnel it's not happening. Wake/Vernon are much better ends than they would be linebackers in a 34. A good huge nose tackle that needs 2 guys to block would be huge for our defense right now, regardless of the system