Dolphins free agency glimpse: Linebackers
Linebacker could be a major reclamation project for the Dolphins in 2023.
Or, it could be manned by a lot of familiar faces.
This is an area where Vic Fangio, the Dolphins’ newly hired defensive coordinator, could make an immediate difference. If Fangio can get the personnel he requires, meaning the players who fit his style, the linebackers could be transformative.
The Dolphins, depending on how things shake out, might need one starting inside linebacker and a pair of reserve outside linebackers.
On the inside, team captain Elandon Roberts, the team’s leading tackler at 107, is eligible to become a free agent, and so are Duke Riley, the top reserve inside linebacker, and core special teams player Sam Eguavoen, who sometimes played in goal-line situations.
On the outside, Melvin Ingram (6.0 sacks, second on the team) and Andrew Van Ginkel (47 tackles, 10th on team) are also eligible to become free agents, so major decisions must be made.
Teams can contact free agents at noon March 13.
Teams can sign free agents at 4 p.m. March 15.
Los Angeles Rams inside linebacker Bobby Wagner, an All Pro who was scheduled to earn a $7.5 million base salary and count $12.7 million against the salary cap, will reportedly be released. He’d likely interest the Dolphins. Of course, even at 32 years old, he’ll interest many teams.
It’s doubtful the Dolphins would want to spend enough to get a top-tier, younger free agent on the inside such as Buffalo’s Tremaine Edmunds, who might earn in the neighborhood of $11 million per season, according to Spotrac.com.
On the other hand, a middle class free agent inside linebacker such as Pittsburgh’s Devin Bush, who seemed to fall out of favor with the Steelers by the end the season, wouldn’t be a significant upgrade, so in a sense the Dolphins need to go relatively big if they make a change. That presents a bit of conundrum.
The draft might not be a viable option for a linebacker, considering the Dolphins’ other needs such as offensive tackle, cornerback and running back.
The Dolphins don’t have a first-round pick. They lost one due to tampering and traded the other to Denver last season to acquire edge rusher Bradley Chubb, who might count as this year’s big acquisition at the position considering they acquired him for a package that included a first-round pick.
The Dolphins have a second-round pick (No. 51), two third-round picks (Nos. 77 and 81), a sixth-round pick and a seventh-round pick.
Veteran Jerome Baker (100 tackles, 4.0 sacks) is the lone experienced returnee on the inside. Channing Tindall, last year’s third-round pick who rarely played from scrimmage, also returns on the inside.
The Dolphins return a pair of high-quality, pass-rushing outside linebackers with Chubb and Jaelan Phillips (7.0 sacks) along with Cameron Goode, last year’s seventh-round pick.
Chubb, a Pro Bowl selection, had 8.0 total sacks with Denver and the Dolphins, and 2.5 sacks in eight games with the Dolphins.
Generally speaking, the Dolphins need aggressive inside linebackers who love contact and can stop the run, but they also need guys who can cover tight ends and running backs in the passing game.
On the outside they need guys who can set the edge as well as attack the quarterback.
The finer points will be filled in by Fangio’s requirements/system and the players’ capabilities.
It’ll be interesting to see how Fangio and the Dolphins approach the situation.
Free agent linebackers
A quick look at some of the linebackers that might interest the Dolphins in free agency.
Elandon Roberts, Dolphins: Roberts, 28, would be good to bring back for a fourth season on the inside. Ideally, he’d be better against the pass, but he’s strong against the run and well-liked in the locker room, and with a market value of $2.4 million, according to Spotrac.com, he’s a great value. He also totaled 4.5 sacks, which was third on the team.
Melvin Ingram, Dolphins: Ingram, 33, totaled 22 tackles and two fumble recoveries, including one returned for a touchdown, in addition to his 6.0 sacks as an outside linebacker. He teamed with Phillips and Chubb to form a tough three-man rush unit last season. Ingram shows no signs of slowing down, because he’s being used almost exclusively in pass-rush situations, which maximizes his effectiveness. He earned $4 million last season and would probably fit in similar salary slot in 2023.
Andrew Van Ginkel, Dolphins: Van Ginkel, 28, had 47 tackles, including three for losses, to go along with two passes defended and an interception as an outside linebacker. He filled a role as second-team pass rusher, along with Ingram. Van Ginkel did a good job at setting the edge on run plays. Athletic and youthful, Van Ginkel earned $2.5 million last season and will likely be looking for a slight raise and a multi-year deal.
Denzel Perryman, Las Vegas: Perryman, 31, an inside linebacker, recorded 83 tackles, 1.0 sacks, two passes defended and two interceptions last season. Perryman had 154 tackles with the Raiders last season as he completed the second year of a two-year, $6 million deal he signed with Carolina. A high-level run stopper, Perryman is a local having attended Coral Gables High School and the University of Miami.
Azeez Al-Shaair, San Francisco: Al-Shaair, 26, who played the strongside in a 4-3 alignment, totaled 44 tackles in 13 games last season. He has played behind Fred Warner and Dre Greenlaw for most of his career and seems ready to break out. Al-Shaair had career-best 102 tackles while making 13 starts in 2021. There’s speculation Al-Shaair, a former FAU standout, might go to Houston to join newly named coach Demeco Ryan, the ex-49ers defensive coordinator and linebackers coach.
Others to watch: Bobby Wagner, Los Angeles Rams; Duke Riley, Dolphins; Lavonte David, Tampa Bay; Anthony Barr, Minnesota; Drue Tranquill, Los Angeles Chargers; Kamu Grugier-Hill, Arizona.
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