Dolphins add linebacker Anthony Walker Jr. as linebacker depth
The Dolphins added depth at linebacker by agreeing to a one-year deal with veteran Anthony Walker Jr., according to a source.
But he’s not expected to replace Jerome Baker. Miami agreed to a deal with Seattle’s Jordyn Brooks (three years, $30 million, and he’s likely Baker’s replacemement.)
Walker, 28, had 42 tackles, four pass breakups, two fumble recoveries and a forced fumble in 12 games (all starts) for the Browns last season, but he has been snakebitten by injuries the past three seasons. He’s coming off arthroscopic knee surgery in December after a season-ending injury during practice.
Pro Football Focus rated him the 31st best inside linebacker in football last season, among 82 qualifiers.
The good news is Walker has been an effective starter when healthy.
The former Miami Monsignor Pace High standout was a fifth-round pick of the Colts in 2017, out of Northwestern, and spent his first four NFL seasons with Indianapolis. He played the past three seasons for Cleveland.
He had 105, 124 and 92 tackles for the Colts in the 2018, 2019 and 2020 seasons, with a combined 18 tackles for loss and three interceptions over those seasons.
He played in 28 games for Cleveland over the past three years and started 27 of them, and had 170 tackles, a sack and seven tackles for loss over those three years with Cleveland.
But he missed time with injuries in each of those seasons.
Walker missed three games with a hamstring injury in 2021, missed all but three games of the 2022 season with a torn quadriceps and missed the end of this past season because of knee surgery necessitated by an injury sustained in a December practice.
Walker was a captain for the Browns and reportedly one of their most respected players. He was the Browns’ Ed Block Courage award winner for battling back from that 2022 quadriceps injury.
David Long Jr. is the Dolphins’ one returning starting inside linebacker. He graded out very well against the run last season. And Brooks likely will be the other starter, with Walker backing him up.
Channing Tindall also remains on the roster but has played just 21 combined defensive snaps over his first two seasons.
This story was originally published March 11, 2024 at 5:57 PM.
