Dolphins position review: A new inside linebacker running mate for Jerome Baker?
Jerome Baker was one of the Miami Dolphins defense’s most productive players but the spot next to him is a dark-horse candidate to receive a major upgrade in the offseason.
In the seventh of a series of position reviews, the Miami Herald examines the team’s inside linebacker situation. Next up is outside linebacker.
2021 IN REVIEW
The Dolphins had serious questions through training camp about who would line up next to Baker in 2021 as Elandon Roberts was sidelined for most of the summer while he continued to rehab from a major knee injury.
Roberts returned in time for the start of the season, though, and started 15 games next to Baker, who relayed the defense’s play-calls. As the season progressed, roles changed; Baker found himself lining up more outside, which opened more opportunities for free agent signee Duke Riley.
With multiple inside linebackers set to hit free agency and Baker seemingly finding a niche on the edge, Dolphins’ top decision-makers will be evaluating what’s best for the position in 2022.
DEPTH CHART
Jerome Baker
▪ Skinny: Baker led the team with 92 combined tackles and his 5.5 sacks ranked third. He’s always excelled the most as a pass rusher but was especially effective when played on the edge later in the season, where he was able to use his athleticism more and wasn’t subjected to taking on bigger blockers against the run.
▪ Contract: Baker, 25, is entering the first year of a three-year extension he signed in 2021. He has a cap hit of $9,730,000.
Elandon Roberts
▪ Skinny: Roberts’ speedy return from a severe knee injury at the end of the 2020 season earned him the honor of being the Dolphins’ first-time recipient of the team’s Ed Block Courage Award. On the field, Roberts recorded a career-high 83 tackles and one sack.
▪ Contract: Roberts, 27, is headed for unrestricted free agency.
Duke Riley
▪ Skinny: Riley played 19 defensive snaps in the first seven games of the season and started in place of Baker when he was sidelined because of an injury in Week 8. He played well and was used more at inside linebacker when Baker shifted to outside linebacker. Riley recorded 26 combined tackles and blocked a punt that was returned for a touchdown.
▪ Contract: Riley, 27, is headed for unrestricted free agency.
Sam Eguavoen
▪ Skinny: Eguavoen appeared in all 17 games but primarily contributed on special teams, playing 60 percent of those snaps. A quality pass rusher, Eguavoen recorded 16 tackles, 0.5 sacks and seven quarterback hits.
▪ Contract: Eguavoen, 29, is headed for restricted free agency.
Calvin Munson
▪ Skinny: Munson began the season on the practice squad and was signed to the Patriots’ 53-man roster in the middle of the season. After his release from New England, he re-signed with the Dolphins. He played just three snaps on defense in Miami but was a frequent contributor on special teams.
▪ Contract: Munson, 27, is entering the final year of a two-year contract. He has a cap hit of $1,164,412.
Vince Biegel
▪ Skinny: After being released in training camp with an injury settlement, Biegel was signed to the practice squad midseason and was later signed to the active roster. Biegel appeared in five games, recording two tackles.
▪ Contract: Biegel, 28, is headed for unrestricted free agency.
OFFSEASON QUESTIONS
1. How much does Baker continue to play outside?
Baker’s ability to line up in different spots on the field is a testament to his versatility on a defense that preaches the importance of it weekly. His switch to playing on the edge more often came as part of a natural dialogue with former coach Brian Flores, defensive coordinator Josh Boyer and linebackers coach Anthony Campanile on how to best utilize his skills. With Flores gone and Boyer expected to take more of the reins with the defense, it’ll be interesting to see if Baker’s role is tweaked in any way.
2. Which role players make a return?
The Dolphins have a number of package-based inside linebackers who could make returns on team-friendly deals. A team captain, Roberts is better in an early down role against the run but struggled at times this season, especially against the pass. Eguavoen has shown an ability to be a productive pass-rusher and Duke Riley graded out best in coverage, according to Pro Football Focus. Any of the trio returning could excel in situational roles but the Dolphins could seek more stability at the position next to Baker.
3. Do the Dolphins make an unexpected splash?
Inside linebacker is certainly not at the top of the Dolphins’ top needs, with wide receiver and offensive line needing to be addressed first. However, the defense would benefit from a linebacker next to Baker who can defend the run — Baker’s 42.4 run defense grade was 65th of 87 off-ball linebackers, according to PFF — and isn’t a liability in coverage. The free agent class for inside linebackers isn’t great and picking at the end of the first round, the Dolphins will likely miss on the top-two prospects in the draft.
POTENTIAL ADDITIONS
The Green Bay Packers’ De’Vondre Campbell is the prize of the inside linebacker free agent class and will get a nice payday after his All-Pro selection in 2021. Campbell, a Fort Myers native, was the second-highest graded off-ball linebacker by Pro Football Focus, performing just as well against the run as he did in coverage. He’ll be 29 by the start of the 2022 season but rarely came off the field this past season and has missed just one game the last three seasons.
The draft’s top-two inside linebackers, Utah’s Devin Lloyd and Georgia’s Nakobe Dean, likely won’t make it to the 29th overall pick, but there is good depth at the position. Oklahoma’s Brian Asamoah and Wyoming’s Chad Muma both impressed at the Senior Bowl. They’re Day 2 options who defend the run well and provide upside in coverage.
DOLPHINS POSITION REVIEWS
DL: Big decisions to be made on top defensive linemen?
TE: Will Miami be able to keep its free agent tight ends?
OL: Will Miami splurge on offensive line in free agency?
WR: What wide receiver will complement Jaylen Waddle in 2022?
RB: Will Miami finally use a high draft pick on a running back?
QB: Dolphins appear all-in on Tagovailoa but who joins QB room?
This story was originally published February 23, 2022 at 1:28 PM.
