Dolphins position review: Trio of inside linebackers set to hit free agency
As part of the plan to retain their defense, the Dolphins continued to use a rotation of inside linebackers in 2022. But Miami’s top draft pick at the position played sparingly and now a trio of inside linebackers is set to become unrestricted free agents.
In the seventh of a series of position reviews, the Miami Herald examines the team’s inside linebacker situation. Next up is outside linebacker.
2022 IN REVIEW
The Dolphins kept their linebacker corps intact with defined roles for each player. Jerome Baker was an every-down player who called defensive plays. Elandon Roberts was an early-down run defender, while Duke Riley played in passing situations. With multiple veterans on the depth chart, Channing Tindall, Miami’s top pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, didn’t carve out a role on defense and primarily contributed on special teams. The Dolphins have established responsibilities for each contributor, they don’t seem to have a true playmaker at the position.
DEPTH CHART
Jerome Baker
Skinny: Baker’s snaps on the edge, where the Dolphins have used his speed as a blitzer, declined in 2022 but he was a consistent presence in the middle of the defense. He ranked second on the team with 100 combined tackles.
Contract: Baker, who turns 27 in December, is entering the second year of a three-year extension he signed in 2021. He has a cap hit of $12,766,111, the sixth-largest on the team. His $8.41 million base salary becomes guaranteed on March 21.
Elandon Roberts
Skinny: The Dolphins’ leader on defense, Roberts led the team with a career-high 107 tackles. His 4.5 sacks were also a career-high mark.
Contract: Roberts, who turns 29 in April, is headed for unrestricted free agency.
Duke Riley
Skinny: In his second season in Miami, Riley had an increased role on defense, along with his contributions on special teams. He recorded 45 tackles and one sack.
Contract: Riley, who turns 29 in November, is headed for unrestricted free agency.
Sam Eguavoen
Skinny: Eguavoen only played 34 defensive snaps but he was once again a core member of the special teams units, participating in 62 percent of the snaps.
Contract: Eguavoen, 30, is headed for unrestricted free agency.
Channing Tindall
Skinny: The Dolphins selected Tindall with their first pick in the 2022 Draft at No. 102 overall. Decision-makers lauded his athleticism and aggression but he only played nine defensive snaps and finished his rookie season with three tackles, mainly filling a special teams role.
Contract: Tindall, who turns 23 in March, is entering the second year of a four-year rookie contract. He has a cap hit of $1,146,569.
Offseason questions
1. Do any of the incumbent players return?
A year ago, Roberts, Riley and Eguavoen all were unrestricted free agents and the Dolphins were able to bring them back on inexpensive one-year deals. With new coordinator Vic Fangio now leading the defense, there could be a different vision for the position group. However, if Miami decides to bring any of them back, it shouldn’t cost too much cap space and the team would be able to find roles for them, especially with Riley and Eguavoen on special teams. Roberts’ agent, Drew Rosenhaus, told The Joe Rose Show on Wednesday that there is “mutual interest” in a return.
2. Will a Tindall be a part of the defense in 2023?
When general manager Chris Grier drafted Tindall, he said the four-year player from the University of Georgia had the potential to be an every-down player with scheme versatility over time. But Tindall was unable to usurp the veterans on the depth chart and while there was speculation his speed could make him a valuable QB spy, that was a short-lived experiment against the Chicago Bears.
Toward the end of his rookie season, Tindall said he started to really grasp the playbook around midseason but wants to work on technical aspects of his game while playing with more control. If the Dolphins decide not to bring back one or multiple veteran linebackers, Tindall may have to be ready to step into an every-down role next season.
3. How does Baker fit in Fangio’s scheme?
Inside linebackers taken on a multi-faceted role in Fangio’s defense, asked to help stop the run in light boxes, cover and blitz occasionally. In recent years, Patrick Willis, Navarro Bowman and Roquan Smith have all been dominant players at the center of Fangio’s units. Baker’s 104 pass rush snaps were his lowest since his rookie year, according to Pro Football Focus, and may have been a byproduct of the outside linebacker tandem of Jaelan Phillips and Bradley Chubbs. He’s at his best when he’s blitzing and pursuing sideline to sideline. Fangio’s defense is built on subterfuge and Baker’s skill set could fit in well.
Offseason additions
If the Dolphins want to stick with a linebacker-by-committee approach, they could easily re-sign Roberts and Riley and pair them next to Baker in 2023. Top-tier options in free agency, such as the Buccaneers’ Lavonte David, the Titans’ David Long Jr., the Eagles’ T.J. Edwards and the Bills’ Tremaine Edmunds would cost significant dollars, but could potentially give the Dolphins a dominant duo at linebacker. The Chargers’ Drue Tranquill and the 49ers’ Azeez Al-Shaair are starting-caliber players who wouldn’t cost as much.
If the Dolphins search for a more prototypical middle linebacker in the draft, Iowa’s Jack Campbell was the 2022 Butkus Award winner, given to college football’s top linebacker, and fits the profile in the middle of the defense.
DOLPHINS POSITION REVIEWS
DL: Christian Wilkins set to lead defensive line again – with a new deal?
TE: Miami’s tight end room likely headed for shakeup
OL: Does Miami need to target another starting offensive lineman?
WR: The Hill-Waddle pairing was an explosive tandem in 2022
RB: Will Miami be in search of another upgrade at running back?
QB: Will Miami invest significant resources into Tagovailoa’s backup?
This story was originally published February 22, 2023 at 2:48 PM.
