Are the Miami Dolphins settled at linebacker?
When the Miami Dolphins cut down to 53, there were some interesting developments in the linebacking core.
Not only did they shake up with starting lineup officially with Koa Misi moving back to strong side but there were some revelations at the position in the way of undrafted free agents defying long odds.
Undrafted rookies Neville Hewitt and Zach Vigil made enough of an impression to make it through and this coming Sunday, will probably suit up in their first official NFL game. These two players are feel good stories of camp, but one has to wonder how good the team would feel if they had to start. While only one of them is listed on the second team and the Miami Dolphins have position flexibility with some of their other players, depth can be perceived as suspect.
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Which begs the question, are the Miami Dolphins settled at linebacker? Are they even settled in their starting line up? Its going to be an interesting year for the starting line up as Jelani Jenkins looks to prove his stellar season wasn’t a fluke. Misi will look to play 16 games for the first time since his rookie season; but most importantly will Buffalo Bills cast off Kelvin Sheppard provide stability in the middle?
Who will be paired with Jenkins in the nickel? The obvious choice is Misi as he offers more in coverage and pass rushing than Sheppard, but traditionally the middle linebacker is a three down player with the strong-side backer coming off the field for a slot corner.
As constructed, the Miami Dolphins should utilize Misi as a versatile chess piece capable of filling multiple roles on the defense such as playing Sam in base D, the Mike in Nickel, or the Jack role once held by the suspended Dion Jordan in the Speed Package.
With Chris McCain losing his starting spot to Sheppard after a disappointing training camp, how much will McCain play at Sam or Jack, or will he be relegated to a situational pass rushing role on the d-line? If all are healthy, one has to think Sheppard will man the Mike in the Speed Package and let Misi fill the Jack.
The one constant in this unit, weak-side linebacker Jenkins, is irreplaceable. On the depth chart Spencer Paysinger is his backup but he’s only played strong-side in his career and that is a significant downgrade in talent anyway. Asking a rookie like Hewitt to fill that role may be too much for his plate.
The Miami Dolphins are very thin and inexperienced depth wise; they’re seriously betting on good health and potential. Hope health prevails and the gamble on potential pays off if it comes down to it. It doesn’t hurt this unit has one of the best defensive lines in the league making their jobs easier, so the odds are in their favor.
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