Projecting the Miami Dolphins starting defense in Week 1

Projecting the Miami Dolphins starting defense in Week 1

Sep 13, 2020; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Cam Newton (1) runs for a touchdown in front of Miami Dolphins outside linebacker Jerome Baker (55) during the third quarter at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports

Linebackers

  • Hybrid LB Jaelan Phillips
  • LB Elandon Roberts
  • LB Jerome Baker

No. 1 rotational player: Hybrid LB Andrew Van Ginkel

This is a tough call for Miami. With the size that the Patriots are bringing up front, it may be best to play Phillips early in an effort to help combat some of the size and physicality that is coming in the trenches this week. Andrew Van Ginkel has the luxury of experience in the NFL, but he’s simply not as big or strong as Phillips; so we’re going to put him in the hybrid role at this point. The stack linebackers are very straight forward between Baker, who got paid this offseason, and Roberts — who appears to be fit enough to inspire Miami that they didn’t really need veteran LB and 2021 addition Benardrick McKinney. Van Ginkel will play a ton, too.