https://www.profootballrumors.com/2017/01/top-3-offseason-needs-miami-dolphins
2) Solidify the linebacker position: With new defensive coordinator Matt Burke in tow, the Dolphins figure to add at least two new starting linebackers this offseason, as Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald reported earlier this week, meaning the club could need to part with a few LBs already on the roster. Donald Butler, Jelani Jenkins, and Spencer Paysinger are all free agents and likely won’t return to South Beach unless it’s in a backup role, while Koa Misi could be released amid concerns about his long-term health.
2016 trade acquisition Kiko Alonso, an upcoming restricted free agent, will likely play a major role in Miami’s plans for the linebacking unit, as Salguero notes at the link above that Dolphins coaches previously bandied about the idea of shifting Alonso from middle linebacker to the weakside. Although the staff opted not make the switch in-season — in an effort not to “mess with [Alonso’s] head” — it’s entirely possible that the club will reconsider the move this offseason. The flexibility of Alonso means the Dolphins can target linebackers, both in free agency and in the draft, without regards to their specific position (middle vs. outside), as Alonso can presumably fill in whatever spot remains open.
Alabama’s Reuben Foster is the best all-around linebacker in the 2017 draft, and would represent an absolute godsend for the Dolphins, but he’s extremely unlikely to be available at pick No. 22. Given that Mel Kiper Jr. of ESPN.com recently said Foster is the “best inside linebacker Alabama has ever produced,” Miami could attempt to trade up, but will more likely look at linebackers a bit farther down the board. Fellow ‘backers Jarrad Davis (Florida) — who was recently sent to the the Dolphins in Kiper’s first mock draft of the year — Raekwon McMillan (Ohio State), and Zach Cunningham (Vanderbilt) could be potential Miami targets.
In free agency, the top two linebackers are likely already spoken for, as the Browns are reportedly nearing an extension with Jamie Collins, while the Patriots don’t figure to let defensive leader Dont’a Hightower get away. That’s not to say there aren’t high-quality options available on the open market, however, and one reasonable target for the Dolphins might be Buffalo free agent Zach Brown, who rehabbed his career with the Bills this season after flaming out with the Titans. Brown, 27, ranked as Pro Football Focus‘ No. 17 linebacker, and should be obtainable for a reasonable price. Arizona’s Kevin Minter is another underrated linebacker who could add experience to the middle of Miami’s defense.
Other linebackers could soon hit the market after being released by their respective clubs, and a few might make sense for the Dolphins based on Burke — who was previously Miami’s LBs coach — and his professional history. Before joining the Dolphins in 2016, Burke worked for the Bengals for two seasons, meaning inside linebacker Rey Maualuga could be an option for Miami if released by Cincinnati. Maualuga is 30 years old (today!) and is only an early-down run thumper at this point, but he’d offer 104 games of starting experience. The Lions were also a previous stop for Burke, so if DeAndre Levy gets cut loose by Detroit, he could make his way to Miami.
2) Solidify the linebacker position: With new defensive coordinator Matt Burke in tow, the Dolphins figure to add at least two new starting linebackers this offseason, as Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald reported earlier this week, meaning the club could need to part with a few LBs already on the roster. Donald Butler, Jelani Jenkins, and Spencer Paysinger are all free agents and likely won’t return to South Beach unless it’s in a backup role, while Koa Misi could be released amid concerns about his long-term health.
2016 trade acquisition Kiko Alonso, an upcoming restricted free agent, will likely play a major role in Miami’s plans for the linebacking unit, as Salguero notes at the link above that Dolphins coaches previously bandied about the idea of shifting Alonso from middle linebacker to the weakside. Although the staff opted not make the switch in-season — in an effort not to “mess with [Alonso’s] head” — it’s entirely possible that the club will reconsider the move this offseason. The flexibility of Alonso means the Dolphins can target linebackers, both in free agency and in the draft, without regards to their specific position (middle vs. outside), as Alonso can presumably fill in whatever spot remains open.
Alabama’s Reuben Foster is the best all-around linebacker in the 2017 draft, and would represent an absolute godsend for the Dolphins, but he’s extremely unlikely to be available at pick No. 22. Given that Mel Kiper Jr. of ESPN.com recently said Foster is the “best inside linebacker Alabama has ever produced,” Miami could attempt to trade up, but will more likely look at linebackers a bit farther down the board. Fellow ‘backers Jarrad Davis (Florida) — who was recently sent to the the Dolphins in Kiper’s first mock draft of the year — Raekwon McMillan (Ohio State), and Zach Cunningham (Vanderbilt) could be potential Miami targets.
In free agency, the top two linebackers are likely already spoken for, as the Browns are reportedly nearing an extension with Jamie Collins, while the Patriots don’t figure to let defensive leader Dont’a Hightower get away. That’s not to say there aren’t high-quality options available on the open market, however, and one reasonable target for the Dolphins might be Buffalo free agent Zach Brown, who rehabbed his career with the Bills this season after flaming out with the Titans. Brown, 27, ranked as Pro Football Focus‘ No. 17 linebacker, and should be obtainable for a reasonable price. Arizona’s Kevin Minter is another underrated linebacker who could add experience to the middle of Miami’s defense.
Other linebackers could soon hit the market after being released by their respective clubs, and a few might make sense for the Dolphins based on Burke — who was previously Miami’s LBs coach — and his professional history. Before joining the Dolphins in 2016, Burke worked for the Bengals for two seasons, meaning inside linebacker Rey Maualuga could be an option for Miami if released by Cincinnati. Maualuga is 30 years old (today!) and is only an early-down run thumper at this point, but he’d offer 104 games of starting experience. The Lions were also a previous stop for Burke, so if DeAndre Levy gets cut loose by Detroit, he could make his way to Miami.
