Linebacker is high priority
Dolphins need to act in early stages of draft
Linebacker is the Miami Dolphins’ top need entering the NFL draft (April 26-28). That doesn’t mean the Dolphins must draft a linebacker with the 11th overall pick. But the position must be addressed early in the draft, and perhaps more than once.
If the Dolphins opt for a linebacker in the first round they’ll likely choose between Georgia’s Roquan Smith and Virginia Tech’s Tremaine Edmunds, the son of Ferrell Edmunds, the former Dolphins Pro Bowl tight end.
It would also make sense for Miami to re-visit the position in the fourth through seventh rounds. Although that pick might not be a major contributor from scrimmage as a rookie he could be a top backup and a core special teams player, an area of need and a common use for reserves at that position.
Linebacker was problematic for the Dolphins last year due to on- and offfield issues. Rookie Raekwon McMillan, the second-round pick and projected starter in the middle of the 4-3 scheme, sustained a season-ending knee injury in the preseason. Veteran Lawrence Timmons went AWOL before the opener at the Los Angeles Chargers. Later in the season, veteran Rey Maualuga had an early morning incident at a Miami nightclub that caused him to be released by the team.
And while that was going on, veteran Kiko Alonso seemed to struggle in pass coverage, though head coach Adam Gase would disagree with that assessment.
The Dolphins need help at linebacker.
Miami returns two starting linebackers with Alonso and McMillan. The assumption is McMillan starts in the middle with Alonso on the weak side. But both Alonso and McMillan have flexibility, meaning both could play inside or outside, so that frees up the Dolphins in the draft to an extent.
Behind Alonso and McMillan are a collection of capable but limited linebackers that includes Stephone Anthony, Mike Hull, Chase Allen and the recently signed Terence Garvin. So depth could also stand an upgrade.
The top linebackers in the draft, Smith and Edmunds, could be 1-2 in either order depending on what you want.
Smith projects as the top inside linebacker although he could also play outside.
Edmunds projects as the top outside linebacker although he could also play inside.
After that there are a collection of linebackers — some of whom are inside, some who are outside, and some who could play both — who could go in the top three or four rounds.
Among them, in no particular order, are Rashaan Evans (Alabama), Josey Jewell (Iowa), Leighton Vander Esch (Boise State), Harold Landry (Boston College), Uchenna Nwosu (USC), Lorenzo Carter (Georgia), Darius Leonard (South Carolina State), Jerome Baker (Ohio State), Shaquem Griffin (UCF) and Malik Jefferson (Texas).
Whether Miami should draft two linebackers in the first four rounds is debatable. Considering it’s one of the most physical positions in football the additional quality depth might be a good idea.
Regardless, Miami needs immediate help at linebacker and it could be acquired in the draft.
Miami has a host of directions it could go in the first round — linebacker, defensive tackle, quarterback, safety, cornerback — so if the Dolphins elect to go somewhere other than linebacker it shouldn’t necessarily be deemed a mistake.
There’s a chance the Dolphins are faced with a conflict among best player available, planning for the future (a quarterback) and need in the first round.
The most important thing for the Dolphins in this year’s draft regarding the linebacker position is making sure they get someone who can step in immediately and be a starter.