Off-ball linebacker is not viewed as one of the positions in dire need for the Miami Dolphins this offseason. But if the team is in search of some new talent for first year head coach and defensive playcaller Jeff Hafley, this year’s draft has the talent and depth to fit the bill.
Linebacker is a good positional class overall in 2026, with prospects with real potential ranging well into day three.
Miami is currently expected to return Jordyn Brooks and Tyrel Dodson and fact is, Hafley’s system — though listed as a 4-3 — runs a 4-2-5 about 3/4 of the time. So in terms of need, the Dolphins seem okay this year, but will have to contend expiring contracts at the end of the season.
This is Part Five in an 11-part Aqua & Coral Report series breaking down potential Dolphins draftees by position, as well as a ranking of the preferred prospects at each spot.
TALENT ALL THREE DAYS
Below are the top options for Miami at off-ball linebacker as of March 23.
The odds of a player like Sonny Styles being there when Miami picks are low, but felt it was important to list him because he is pretty much the prototype for Hafley in terms of versatility.
Like the Dolphins’ actual board, ours will stay dynamic until the final college pro days are conducted and all information collected.
The Dolphins will definitely want to add bigger, stronger edge players. Unfortunately this draft is loaded with clones of what’s already in the room2026 ACR Dolphins Draft Guide bios included.
LB Sonny Styles, Ohio State
20 yo Sr.; 6-4+, 243; really struggled with his evaluation and admittedly misjudged what he is/can be; originally assumed he would be Mike who could move in and out of playing edge and when watching with that in mind, I wasn’t as big of a fan as others; his game, however, is middle-back in an NFL scheme and that is unbelievably intriguing, beyond his tape; creative DC can almost reinvent their defense because of his ability to run, tackle and especially cover; size and length shows up on tape; despite size, is more pursuit linebacker and sometimes struggles coming downhill, particularly through traffic; hits hard when the play isn’t coming straight at him; he’s good in space and in man (TE) as a pass defender; is not all that natural and it shows when he’s rushing the passer; closing speed is exceptional; overall, good player who could be elite if used correctly; won’t bother posting combine details – well documented it was one of the best of all time; he will get taken advantage of by NFL guards at times and could use a little more bulk; mocks don’t currently suggest it (3/2/26) but he should be gone in the first two-to-five selections (R1)
⭐LB Anthony Hill Jr., Texas
Was widely-held as the top linebacker prospect in the country heading into 2025 after notching 113 tackles, 4 FF, 8 sacks and 23 pressures in 2024; 6-3, 238 and sticks his nose in there; sheds blocks and gets to the ball with force; maybe the most natural LB in the draft; is athletic enough to be good in coverage but needs some work in zone; has some positional versatility as he gets in the backfield in both run and pass defense, whether it be as a blitzer from the inside or coming off the edge, which Texas did with him at times; 32 career starts and still just 21; not always as aggressive as you’d like when tackling in space; high upside; excellent play recognition; plays with the edge you want out of an inside linebacker; anchors pretty well with lineman coming at him; good hips and lateral movement gets him in and out of inside space; takes good angles; combine: 4.51 40-yard dash (1.58 split), 37-inch vertical, 10-5 broad; ability to rush the passer gives him a lot of versatility; would make him a Will alongside Brooks (R1-R2)
⭐LB Jacob Rodriguez, TTU
6-1, 231; people had concerns about his testing but he ran great at the combine (4.57); his short shuttle (4.19) and 3-cone (6.90) times were best among all ’26 linebackers at the combine++; super instinctive, a ‘football player’; has good lateral movement and good range sideline to sideline; it’s hard to tell how he’ll handle NFL guards because Texas Tech kept him almost completely clean to go make plays (and he did) but he does everything else well so one would assume he’ll figure it out; excellent in zone pass coverage though NFL tight ends may give him trouble size-wise; must be a former basketball guard because if he has an elite trait, it’s his ability to strip ball carriers; always active in the pile and a fearless tackler; would move him to Will in the NFL, just a playmaker and a baller let him go make plays while your Mike takes care of the dirty work; will be 24 in September (R2)
LB C.J. Allen, Georgia
Could well end up being the best Mike linebacker in this draft, but it will take a Rickey Jackson-esque effort as he’s only 6-0½; 240 pounds and a big hitter; when he diagnosis the play, he is literally a missile; would be a fantastic player to use as a spy against a running QB; instincts seem good; can rush the passer; reportedly called plays/audibles on his own for UGA last year++; height will definitely hurt his cause as a pro and that will likely be reflected in his draft position; not likely what MIA is interested in based on GM comments, but will probably be a good pro (R2)
LB Josiah Trotter, Mizzou
Son of Eagles legend Jeremiah; 6-2, 237; doesn’t take long to pick up that his play recognition and diagnosis happens fast; plays real fast and physical; downhill player against the run; also athletic enough to track and chase; is not the greatest in coverage yet but it isn’t because of a lack of size or movement skills; turns 21 around draft time and still has room for game growth, but he’ll come in for somebody, start immediately and have a noticeable impact in the run game; will be a star if he can learn to cover because he’d be a weapon in modern sim pressure systems like Miami will use; has large hands (10¼”); missed freshman season with an ACL injury and had minor knee surgery in 2025, missing Mizzou bowl game (R2)
LB Jake Golday, Cincinnati
6-4, 239 and plays fast; would use him as a Will in Miami scheme and on special teams; better in chase situations than going head up with somebody; good pass rusher; 104 tackles, 3.5 sacks, 2 FF, 3 PBUs; played first three years at Central Arkansas; needs to get stronger; combine numbers – 4.62 40-yard dash (1.58 split), 35½-inch vertical, 10-2 broad, 32¾-inch arms; can be over-aggressive at times but has been a team captain everywhere he’s been (R4-R5)
EDGE/LB George Gumbs Jr., Florida
6-4 3/8, 245; converted wide receiver; would move to SAM linebacker; in mostly situational play for Florida last year, had 31 tackles, 2 sacks, 2 forced fumbles and one recovery; played what UF called a JACK linebacker, which we used to tearm a LEO (Linebacker/End Option), so you could call him either a tweener or possibly versatile; minimum ideal special teams guy; don’t think he has the frame to put on much more weight and curious his measurables; high effort player; the intrigue is in him as a ST player and see if he can grow into a defensive role, preferably at SAM; had a real good combine – 33 5/8-inch arms, 4.66 40-yard dash (9th) 41-inch vertical (T-2nd all time for a DE), 10-1 broad; a project, but worthy of taking a flyer (R5)
⭐Jaden Dugger, Louisiana
6-5, 240 with 35-inch arms and a ridiculous 85-inch wingspan; transferred from Georgetown where he was recruited as a wide receiver and ended up at safety; started his sophomore year then transferred to Louisiana, where he sat his first year again after switching to LB; in 2025, finished 10th in the nation in tackles with 125 (64 solo) to go with 4 sacks, an interception, three pass breakups and a forced fumble; played all over the place – MLB, WLB and even outside man corner; is literally a clone to Sonny Styles but very little experience; good tackler, uses his arms well and has no trouble getting up in the A gap; may have a higher upside than Styles as ridiculous as that sounds because Dugger is a good pass rusher and could line up at edge; the definition of hybrid, which is exactly what Hafley wants; type of player I would be scared of waiting too long on, despite the fact his name wasn’t out there before the Shrine Bowl and he’s very green — could be a late score (R5-R6)
⭐LB Shad Banks Jr., UTSA
At minimum, in think this guy will be a sick special teams player; tape suggests he’ll blow up the combine; 6-1, 230 so not ideal height in terms of pass coverage or positional versatility, but this guy is a missile; ran a 4.40 (1.54 split) with a 37-inch vertical jump; 92 tackles (57 solo), 2 sacks, 2 PBUs, 3 interceptions in 2025; spent 4 years at TCU not getting PT; for a first year player, UTSA gave him a ton of responsibility and had him manage almost a centerfield of sorts in the middle of their defense in pass defense; great initial burst; must be a former RB; overshoots his target at times but given the licks he puts on ball carriers, it’s understandable; he is also pretty patient at times when it’s appropriate, waiting for the play to develop; elite burst; the speed-to-power with him is off the charts, he gets low and within the rules, punishes people; not ideal size but really thick and I think he could play Mike, Will or Sam; probably maxed out on his size; instinctive; when he gets a turnover, he returns us like a pretty good running back (clear he was one); uses the RB instincts as part of his pass rush game; low miles; former triple jump champ; get that he doesn’t match the profile but really like the player (R5-R6)
LB Lander Barton, Utah
6-5, 236 linebacker who played MLB for the Utes; 34 tackles, two interceptions, and a pick-six in seven games before injuring his foot in ’24; 55 tackles (25 solo) with 1.5 sacks and an interception in ’25; 4 interceptions and 8 career PBUs, so he’s adept in coverage; actually lined up at TE and caught a TD; 6 catches for 44 yards in ’25; might actually want to give him a look at TE, he’s very good at breaking tackles after the catch; good sideline-to-sideline and a big hitter, but needs to work on wrapping up vs. just thumping with the shoulder; impressed with him as a football player (R6)
LB Bryce Boettcher, Oregon
6-1, 233; productive 2025 with 136 tackles, a sack, 2 forced fumbles and 5 PBUs; kind of a long strider but has his burst and gets to his top speed quickly; not huge for a Mike but he played there, Sam & Will for the Ducks; does a nice job patrolling in zone pass defense; good, instinctive player who can slither through gaps to make the first hit; I like him but he doesn’t fit the MIA profile; measurements were bad at combine and he chose not to test which I hate, but he plays angry+++ (R5)
LB Red Murdock, Buffalo
6-1, 232 MLB 142 tackles, 5 sacks and SIX forced fumbles in 2025 (and 17 for his career++); plays violently; if he can run, he’s at least an NFL special teamer and backup; height could be a big issue covering NFL TEs; good instincts; vg lateral movement and good burst; ball carriers aren’t just tackled…all forward progress completely stops; on-field bully; rips & strips when in gang tackling mode; has a history of injuries including his hip, but hasn’t had problems since 2023; wish he was a little taller but love his game (R7-UDFA)
LB Jaishawn Barham, Michigan (R2-R3/DNW)
LB Keyshaun Elliott, ASU (R4/DNW)
LB Kaleb Elarms-Orr (TCU) (DNW)
THE SCHEDULE
- Mon., Mar. 9 — Part 1, Cornerbacks
- Thu. Mar. 12 — Part 2, Interior Offensive Line
- Tues. Mar. 17 — Part 3, Tight Ends
- Thu. Mar 19 — Part 4, Edge rushers
- Today — Part 5, Linebackers
- Today — Part 6, Wide Receivers
- Thu. Mar. 26 — Part 7, Defensive Tackles
- Tues. Mar. 31 — Part 8, Quarterbacks
- Thu. Apr. 2 — Part 9, Running Backs
- Tues. Apr. 6 — Part 10, Offensive Tackles
- Thu. Apr. 8 — Part 11, Safeties
Aqua & Coral Report 