Potential 1st Round Linebackers for Dolphins

[Perfect72]

[h=2]The Miami Dolphins have not drafted a linebacker since 2014. As a glaring need for Miami heading into 2017, they absolutely have to take at least one in this year’s draft, right? Right?[/h][FONT=&quot]The last time the Miami Dolphins selected a linebacker at any point of the draft was in 2014 when they selected Jordan Tripp in the 5th round.
Tripp is no longer on the team, and three years later, Miami is still looking for help in the middle of their defense.
Kiko Alonso proved to be a great addition for the Dolphins last season, but he needs help around him.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Koa Misi has been great for Miami when healthy, but has become too injury-prone for the Dolphins to depend on. Due $4.2 million in 2017, the Dolphins may elect to part ways with Misi instead.

Jelani Jenkins is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent. The Dolphins may want to re-sign Jenkins, but at the same time, they could look to upgrade their starting lineup.
Miami may view Jenkins as a player who could fill out their depth, and help out on special teams, rather than continuing to rely on him as a starter.[/FONT]
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[FONT=&quot]We will have a better understanding of how the Dolphins will approach the linebacker position once free agency hits. As of right now, however, it’s safe to assume that Miami will look to add at least two linebackers. One could be had in free agency with the other likely to be found in the NFL Draft. There’s a good chance even that they could address the position immediately with their first-round selection. Here’s a look at some potential first-round linebackers Miami could select with their first pick.
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[FONT=&quot]Jabrill Peppers, Michigan[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Peppers played so many positions at Michigan that it’s hard to pinpoint just one where he will settle in at during his NFL career.
He is best graded as an outside linebacker and safety, two positions the Dolphins could use help with.
The fact that his skill-set is so diverse, and that he could help Miami in at least two areas should have him on their radar.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Even though the majority of mock drafts agree that Peppers will be a first-round pick, he’s not projected to be available when the Dolphins select at pick 22.
The few that do believe he will be available think that Miami will look elsewhere for their first-round selection. While moving up would be too much for Miami to grab Peppers, he’s worth consideration if he’s still on the board.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Zach Cunningham, Vanderbilt[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]If you have been looking at numerous mock drafts I’m sure that you’ve noticed they are all over the place.
Myles Garrett seems to be the consensus #1 and then it’s take your pick with the rest of the field.
For the Dolphins, the most popular pick among the many is Zach Cunningham from Vanderbilt.
For good reason too, as he is the 2nd-best rated inside linebacker in this draft class.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Cunningham is an excellent run defender, evidenced by his 16.5 tackles for loss in 2016. The Dolphins run defense was terrible last season, and will be a key component for Miami when evaluating talent. Also considered a decent pass coverage linebacker, Cunningham checks off in all the right areas.

More at LINK: http://phinphanatic.com/2017/01/31/potential-first-round-linebackers-miami/

Your Thoughts? [/FONT]

 

[TannDaMan17]

Cunningham would be a great fit for this team, he is the one we probably end up with when it's all said and done imo.

 

[datruth55]

At 6' 205 lbs Peppers is really more of a Safety not a linebacker, he'll be gone in the top 15 anyway.

 

[Danny]

Koa Misi has been great? Are they freaking kidding me?

Ozzy rules!!

---------- Post added at 10:16 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:15 PM ----------

Cunningham would be a great fit for this team, he is the one we probably end up with when it's all said and done imo.

If he's there he could be the pick

Ozzy rules!!

 

['Deep]

Cunningham would be a great fit for this team, he is the one we probably end up with when it's all said and done imo.

I really hope Cunningham is there at 22. He's the guy I want at LB after Foster (who we know won't be there).

 

[SF Dolphin Fan]

I would add Jarrad Davis in the first round discussion.

Jabrill Peppers is interesting, but I'm not sure where his best fit is. I think you'd need a creative DC to use him to his strengths. I do like the idea of a 4-2-5 defense with three safeties including a hybrid type. Peppers could fill that role. Might also be a good match-up against New England.

 

[hoops]

I think peppers will still be there and I think Miami will pass...he's not a carry cover slot wrs db and he's not a fix for miamis running game woes as a lb

to Miami he's basically a more physical tackling Michael Thomas...I don't see it...you need to use him a very specific way to get max return and Miami doesn't run that

Cunningham I can definitely see that one provided he gets there

 

[dolfan3431]

I like Jarrad Davis more than Cunningham. To me, Cunningham just seems "off" when I watched him play. He didn't consistently makes tackles with authority. I view him as more of a WILL type and not the MIKE or SAM we desperately need. Kiko should be our WILL and Davis will make a fine MIKE. I'm no scout, so maybe I'm absolutely wrong on this.

 

[AquaXI]

My gut tells me Cunningham is gone and Peppers still available. I think TJ Watts will climb into the 1st round and I wouldn't count him out.

 

[hoops]

we don't need a sam with our top pick unless hes gonna rush on the edge vs tackles in the sub

we need a 3 down lb to pair with kiko...be it mike or a weak...I'd prefer something interchangeable that way if we get an injury to a starter nickel we aren't screwed

only way we should take a sam at 22 is if he's gonna rush on the edge in the sub...otherwise that's bad value

even if we draft a weak and rush him on the edge in the sub that still leaves us with another massive lb need...Miami plays 2 off the los lbs in its scheme...we don't play a single and a 5 db look we have 2 off the los lbs we either blitz or cover

get the every down off the los lb for the nickel/sub at minimum that can gap/overload blitz or cover

 

[DefensiveEnd76]

Peppers is a safety. He's 6'0" 206 pounds. He'd have at add at least 25 pounds of muscle to be a linebacker.

 

[maralieus]

At 6' 205 lbs Peppers is really more of a Safety not a linebacker, he'll be gone in the top 15 anyway.

You think 2 safeties off the board by pick 15? Sounds wrong to me, but this is a defense heavy draft to say the least.

 

[malzacher]

I know what you mean, I keep watching tape on him and something does seem off. One thing Davis does more than Cunningham is that David drills guys and it looks like Cunningham has great instincts too, but she just brings guys down, doesn't lay the wood. Who knows maybe miami double down and gets both. Positions solved.

 

[DefensiveEnd76]

Give me the more physical player anytime.

 

[TheWozz]

The LB from Temple, Reddick, is getting a lot of discussion as being a 3 down LB (edge rusher with a hand on the ground on 3rd) that could push into the 1st round. Thoughts on him in aqua?