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NFL: Breaking down the 2015 Miami Dolphins

By Andrew Garda

Dec 28, 2014; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill (17) throws a pass in the second half at Sun Life Stadium. The Jets defeated Miami 37-24. Mandatory Credit: Brad Barr-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 28, 2014; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill (17) throws a pass in the second half at Sun Life Stadium. The Jets defeated Miami 37-24. Mandatory Credit: Brad Barr-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 23, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Miami Dolphins outside linebacker Jelani Jenkins (53) attempts to tackle Denver Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas (88) during the second half at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Broncos won 39-36. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 23, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Miami Dolphins outside linebacker Jelani Jenkins (53) attempts to tackle Denver Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas (88) during the second half at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Broncos won 39-36. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports /

Linebackers

Starters: Jelani Jenkins, Koa Misi, Chris McCain

Depth: Spencer Paysinger, Jake Knott, Jordan Tripp, Kelvin Sheppard, Zach Virgil (rookie), Mike Hull (rookie), Jeff Luc (rookie), Neville Hewitt (rookie)

While the Miami Dolphins corps of linebackers didn’t rack up tons of sacks, they did a good job cleaning up whatever got past the defensive line and shut down a lot of outside plays. Jelani Jenkins and Koa Misi are holdovers  from last season, and to start off at least, Chris McCain will hang onto the SAM (strong side) position. McCain is better known for his Tweeting than his play, as he barely played his rookie season.

McCain was an undrafted free agent last year and was kicked off the Cal’s football team in 2013. Prior to that he was an honorable mention for the All-Pac12 team in 2012. McCain showed good instincts on tape prior to the 2014 NFL Draft, had solid numbers when teams tested him and showed some decent coverage skills for a linebacker. Still, he’s unproven and could lose his ‘job’ quickly if someone behind him out-performs him in camp.

Perhaps he’ll be supplanted by Spencer Paysinger, who was signed by the Dolphins after an unspectacular 2014 with the New York Giants. Paysinger went from starting ten games for the Giants in 2013 to a special teams role in 2014, and the Giants—despite some issues defensively—clearly didn’t think he was worth pursuing hard. He went to the Dolphins in part because he saw an opportunity to start with the team trading Daniel Ellerbe away, and choosing not to re-sign Jason Trusnik.

A lot of the rest of the depth—players like Jordan Tripp, Kelvin Sheppard and Jake Knott—are small-role players and special teams guys. And while one of the trio of rookie linebackers (all undrafted free agents) might pop, more than likely they too will start out on special teams.

So the concern here is what happens if one of the starters goes down or doesn’t pan out? This is a group to watch very closely in training camp and preseason.

Next: Secondary

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