The Miami Dolphins have to be thrilled with how their investment in linebacker Jerome Baker has turned out thus far. A third-round pick out of Ohio State in 2018, Baker has steadily become one of the most recognizable faces on the Dolphins defense. No, team success for Miami didn’t come in bunches last year and the defense has plenty of improvement ahead of it, but Baker figures to be a big catalyst for that improvement. It starts with building upon what was a strong “sophomore” season in South Florida.
Baker played 97% of the team’s defensive snaps last season while logging 126 tackles and only missed on 6 attempts all season — good for an excellent 4.5% missed tackle rate. His impact plays, such as sacks and interceptions, weren’t necessarily as frequent as the team would have hoped — but there’s no reason for optimism that Baker’s ascending play will position him well to make those plays in the future.
And, if Baker’s hype video for the upcoming season is any indication, he looks ready to make a splash.
"If You're Good At Anticipating The Human Mind, It Leaves Nothing To Chance." pic.twitter.com/OrLSHOFEpu
— Jerome Baker Jr. (@Lastname_Baker) July 7, 2020
This has been a trying offseason and those with the discipline and continued commitment to being ready for the start of the 2020 season are likely the players who will thrive the most. So if Baker has been putting in this kind fo work all summer, the Dolphins figure to be getting an even better version of the linebacker in year three.