Miami Dolphins: 3 players not named Tua under most pressure in 2022

Miami Dolphins player under pressure #2: Andrew Van Ginkel

Essentially the entirety of the linebacking corps for the Dolphins is under pressure.

Miami’s defense has kept them afloat over the course of the last couple of seasons and has provided the team with a sliver of identity, and often makes up for the offense’s shortcomings. The front office has chosen to retain essentially the entire unit, and the Dolphins’ defense will run it back in 2022.

The biggest question mark on that side of the ball is the linebackers, many of whom will be playing with their immediate futures on the line this coming season. Jerome Baker and rookies Channing Tindall and Cameron Goode are the only ones that are under contract past 2022, leaving guys like Elandon Roberts, and Melvin Ingram with just 17 games to prove their worth.

One of those guys will be Andrew Van Ginkel, and he may be the player that the coaching staff keeps the closest eye on throughout the season.

After being a big contributor to the defense in 2020, Van Ginkel got off to a slow start last year before turning things on halfway through the season as his snap counts increased. Miami will be counting on him to be a difference-maker from Week 1, as they will need all the veteran help they can get at the position.

The season will be something of an audition for Van Ginkel. Whether he hopes to receive a contract offer from the Dolphins or plans to hit free agency, his wallet will be adversely affected by how he performs in 2022.