With Linebacker Injuries Mounting Miami Dolphins Sign Nick Deluca

[DKphin]

The Miami Dolphins have some injury problems at the linebacker position. Nothing serious but camp bodies are dropping. So they added Nick Deluca.

Chase Allen, Raekwon McMillan, and Kiko Alonso are taking it easy or working on rehab this week as they nurse undisclosed injures while the Miami Dolphins get ready for a scrimmage on Saturday and their first pre-season game next week. They have added a linebacker to the mix.

At this point in training camp, most signees are nothing more than camp bodies who can handle the extra reps that others are taking to fill in for injured players but second year linebacker Nick Deluca may have a shot to make the roster if he can impress the coaches both defensively and on special teams.

https://phinphanatic.com/2019/08/02/linebacker-injuries-mounting-miami-dolphins-sign-nick-deluca/

 

[DKphin]

Here's his draft profile from NFL.com:

40 Yard Dash
4.85u

Bench Press
18

Vertical Jump
29.5

Broad Jump
112.0

3 Cone Drill
7.09

20 Yd Shuttle
4.23


Overview
DeLuca had a very strong 2015 campaign, but injuries in 2016 and 2017 have limited his production since then. DeLuca lacks the athletic ability and speed that teams will be looking for from linebacker, but his instincts and special teams ability could keep him alive in camp with a shot to make a roster as a backup inside linebacker who makes his living on cover teams.
Strengths

• Loves football and is willing to do whatever his team needs to succeed
• Has won at a high level in both high school and college
• Instinctive with an almost instant diagnosis of the play
• Flows hard to the football without compromising his run fit
• Has a feel for when to shoot downhill into gaps
• Plays with clear eyes and understands his responsibilities from play to play
• Gets defense lined up
• Quick to recognize play-action and sink into coverage
• Reads quarterback and closes out passing lanes in zone coverage
• Can play with pain
• Was a special teams cover demon his first two seasons with 25 tackles

Weaknesses

• Durability could be a lingering concern
• Missed almost all of 2016 with a shoulder injury and missed the early games in 2017 with a torn meniscus
• Had trouble with change of direction and lateral quickness this season
• Not a quick-twitch athlete and lacks a pro burst in short spaces
• Doesn't run fast even when healthy
• Closing out tackles to the perimeter will be a challenge
• Play strength and base to leverage gap and take on blockers is sub-standard
• Below average man cover talent

https://www.nfl.com/prospects/nick-deluca?id=32194445-4c75-7806-b9bd-161121f5594e

 

[Anvil35]

Here's his draft profile from NFL.com:

40 Yard Dash
4.85u

Bench Press
18

Vertical Jump
29.5

Broad Jump
112.0

3 Cone Drill
7.09

20 Yd Shuttle
4.23


Overview
DeLuca had a very strong 2015 campaign, but injuries in 2016 and 2017 have limited his production since then. DeLuca lacks the athletic ability and speed that teams will be looking for from linebacker, but his instincts and special teams ability could keep him alive in camp with a shot to make a roster as a backup inside linebacker who makes his living on cover teams.
Strengths

• Loves football and is willing to do whatever his team needs to succeed
• Has won at a high level in both high school and college
• Instinctive with an almost instant diagnosis of the play
• Flows hard to the football without compromising his run fit
• Has a feel for when to shoot downhill into gaps
• Plays with clear eyes and understands his responsibilities from play to play
• Gets defense lined up
• Quick to recognize play-action and sink into coverage
• Reads quarterback and closes out passing lanes in zone coverage
• Can play with pain
• Was a special teams cover demon his first two seasons with 25 tackles

Weaknesses

• Durability could be a lingering concern
• Missed almost all of 2016 with a shoulder injury and missed the early games in 2017 with a torn meniscus
• Had trouble with change of direction and lateral quickness this season
• Not a quick-twitch athlete and lacks a pro burst in short spaces
• Doesn't run fast even when healthy
• Closing out tackles to the perimeter will be a challenge
• Play strength and base to leverage gap and take on blockers is sub-standard
• Below average man cover talent

https://www.nfl.com/prospects/nick-deluca?id=32194445-4c75-7806-b9bd-161121f5594e

That was kinda funny! Sounds a bit Rudy-ish!!

 

[DKphin]

 

[Kingdom Come]

Hasn't been the same since he came back waaayyy too early from the knee surgery. A brilliant LB with beyond elite instincts, but he went from being a dominant and intimidating superior force on the field to a player that was only a shadow of his former self.

Maybe he had stem cell treatment and is back to his former athleticism.

I watched every game he played in college multiple times. If we miraculously get the 20 year old version of Nick before the knee injury, we would have a starting caliber player......if we get the damaged version, camp body.

 

[John813]

Yea I was hyped for DeLuca back in college. Too bad the guy had no breaks with injuries.
That knee one must of stunted him.

 

[Danny68]

https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.c...t-mike-hull-on-reserve-pup-ending-his-season/