With Baker gone, inside linebacker a problem for Fins

Dolphins chatter on the eve of the start of free agency: Beyond all the A obvious needs (a cornerback to replace Xavien Howard, offensive line, defensive tackle, safety, backup receivers), here’s another priority: finding more inside linebackers who can cover effectively.

That was a problem before

Jerome Baker was released last week, and it’s an even bigger problem now. Anyone who replaces Baker must be able to keep up with speedy backs and big tight ends.

Baker permitted only 7.9 yards per completion, which was fourth best among the NFL’s 39 inside linebackers who were targeted at least 50 times.

Among affordable free agent options to replace him: Houston’s Blake Cashman (106 tackles, allowed a solid 91.5 passer rating in his coverage area in 13 starts), Philadelphia’s

Zach Cunningham (85 tackles in 13 games and 10 starts and a solid 89.8 passer rating in his coverage area), Kansas City’s

Willie Gay (had 58 tackles and the skill set to excel in coverage) and San Francisco’s Oren

Burks (had a solid 88.1 passer rating against, with 46 tackles in 15 games and five starts).

Baltimore’s Patrick Queen and Seattle’s Jordyn Brooks likely will be too expensive, and Tampa Bay’s LaVonte David and Seattle’s Bobby Wagner might be deemed too old. Don’t rule out Devin White and Shaq Leonard, two former Pro Bowlers still in their 20s but coming off disappointing years.

Buffalo’s Josh Allen punished Miami’s inside linebackers, as usual, in Buffalo’s AFC East clinching Week 18 win at Hard Rock Stadium, completing 12 of 12 targets for 101 yards against David Long Jr. and Duke Riley (who are both under contract for 2024) and Baker.

And consider this: In Buffalo’s past five games against Miami, Allen has a 138 passer rating (46 for 52, 491 yards, 5 TDs, no interceptions) when targeting Miami’s inside linebackers.

Long was rated by far the worst of 83 inside linebackers in pass coverage; he permitted 12.1 yards per reception (worst among linebackers targeted 50 times), a 113 passer rating and four receptions in four targets for 90 yards in the playoff loss at Kansas City.

Long was still a good signing because he gave the defense grit and toughness and was exceptional against the run. New defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver cannot leave him exposed as much in coverage as predecessor Vic Fangio did.

Riley allowed a 116 passer rating in his coverage area. Baker reportedly is expected to visit Pittsburgh as a free agent.

Though Miami would like to

A keep Christian Wilkins, the Dolphins are in no position to win a bidding war if his annual salary rises to the $25 million range, which ESPN’s Adam Schefter predicts will happen. Schefter said it’s likely Wilkins signs elsewhere.

Guard Robert Hunt expects to command more than what the Dolphins have indicated they can pay him; that situation doesn’t look good for Miami unless the front office dramatically raises its offer. Defensive tackle Raekwon Davis hopes the Dolphins will re-sign him.

Drew Rosenhaus expects center Connor Williams to approach free agency methodically, as his December torn ACL heals.

Jonnu Smith’s addition at

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tight end will make the Dolphins’ passing game more dangerous in 12 personnel (which features one running back, two receivers, two tight ends at the same time) and likely compel them to use that package more often.

Last season, the Dolphins used two tight-end sets on just 98 plays. Only the Rams ran fewer plays out of 12 personnel (58).

The Dolphins passed on 31 of those plays and those passing plays averaged just 6.6 yards per attempt, which tied for 23rd in the league.

The Dolphins’ two-tight end sets (usually Durham Smythe and Julian Hill) had success running the ball, averaging 6.4 yards per carry in 12 personnel, which was best in the NFL.

Because Miami ran so well out of 12 personnel last season, Miami’s 6.3 average yards per play out of 12 personnel tied with Tennessee for second best, behind only the 49ers’ 6.7 average per play.

With a serviceable receiver in Smythe (35 catches in 43 catches for career-high 366 yards last season) and a very good one in Smith, there will be more motivation to use 12 personnel and less predictability when Miami uses it because neither player is deficient as a blocker or receiver.

Smith pass-blocked only 44 times for Atlanta last season, and he allowed no sacks and just three pressures, which is excellent.

Per 3yardspercarry’s Chris Kouffman, Miami averaged just 2.1 yards per run and 5.1 yards per pass out of 12 personnel in 2022, when Mike Gesicki and Smythe were the primary tandem.

The difference now is that Smith is considered a better blocker than Gesicki and can line up in-line far more often (and more successfully) than Gesicki, creating a new wrinkle for defenses.

In the red zone, Smith has

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been thrown 38 passes over the past four seasons and caught 23 of them, with 10 touchdowns. Because the Chase Claypool

trade didn’t work out, Miami lacked a legitimate red zone threat with size last season. Smith, at 6-3, should solve that problem.

Smith’s addition also lessens the need to pay significant money for a No. 3 wide receiver.

Keep in mind that Miami threw a league-low 52 passes to tight ends last season. Twentytwo tight ends had more targets than that.

Here’s the other area where

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Smith really helps: He led all NFL tight ends in average YAC (yards after catch) per reception over the past three seasons, including 7.3 last season. Conversely, Miami’s tight ends averaged 3.0 in YAC last season, which was worst in the league.

Former Washington Commanders coach Ron Rivera,

appearing as an analyst on ESPN, explained how helpful it is to have a player like that on a team with speedy Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle on the outside: “When you try to stop that deep threat, there’s a big opening underneath. If you get a tight end that can catch and run, that’s big threat for your offense.”

Keep in mind that the Dolphins

A threw 42 screens to wide receivers last season, tied for most in the NFL, but just one to tight ends. Last season, Smith caught 11 screens for 136 yards (12.4 per reception) and two touchdowns.

The Dolphins still might sign

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a couple of cheap new receivers, with Braxton Berrios, Cedrick Wilson Jr., Claypool, Robbie Chosen and River Cracraft all free agents.

Berrios (who caught 27 of 33 targets for 238 yards) had 16 targets in the first four weeks but just 17 the remainder of the season. His disappearance from the offense was puzzling. Miami wants to re-sign him.

Wilson Jr. had 22 receptions

(for 296 yards), but on 38 targets. That’s not a good enough connection rate, especially for a quarterback as accurate as Tua Tagovailoa. Their miscommunication cost them a potential game-tying touchdown against Kansas City.

Erik Ezukanma, who missed the final three months with a neck injury, remains under contract for two more years. He’s now healthy.

Among free agents who could help the Dolphins as a No. 3 or 4 receiver: Minnesota’s K.J. Osborn, Houston’s Noah Brown, Atlanta’s Van Jefferson, New England’s Kendrick Bourne (off an ACL injury), the Chiefs’ Mecole Hardman and Arizona’s

Greg Dortsch.

Miami could pick up thirdand

A fourth-round picks in 2025 if they lose Wilkins and Hunt and/ or Williams and don’t sign top free agents. Players cut, such as Jonnu Smith, don’t factor into the compensatory pick formula.

The Dolphins are trying to

A re-sign linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel ... Running back Salvon Ahmed, whom they would like to keep on a low-money deal, should be ready for the start of the 2024 season after a significant foot injury.

NEW DEAL FOR NEEDHAM IN PLACE

The Dolphins have agreed to terms on a contract to re-sign defensive back Nik Needham, one of their best 21st century discoveries in the undrafted rookie free agent market.

A deal for Needham to return for a sixth season in Miami is now in place, a source said Saturday.

Needham, signed out of UTEP after the 2019 Draft, made 51 appearances and 27 starts and had six interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown, in 3 ½ seasons for Miami before rupturing his Achilles tendon in October 2022.

CHATTER De’Aaron

Sacramento guard

A Fox summed up the Heat this way recently: “It’s like a running joke. Regardless of who Miami puts out there, it looks like that’s a team that played in the Finals or played together for a while.”

The Marlins’ payroll now

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stands at $102 million — 24th in baseball — after the team gave $5 million to shortstop Tim Anderson in a one-year deal.

That includes $7.75 million in payments this season to three Marlins no longer on the roster — Giancarlo Stanton (still owed $3 million by Miami this season and much more in the years ahead), Johnny Cueto

($2.5 million) and Matt Barnes

($2.25 million).

Versatile Nick Gordon and

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Vidal Brujan — both out of minor-league options — remain front-runners for two open Marlins bench jobs, with Trey Mancini, Xavier Edwards (who has minor league options), Dane Meyers and Jonah Bride trying to push them.

Barry Jackson: 305-376-3491, @flasportsbuzz