The Miami Dolphins finished their 2023 campaign with an 11-6 record and made the postseason for the second time in as many years under head coach Mike McDaniel. Unfortunately, it came to an end with a loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in the wild-card round.
While other teams are in the midst of their playoff run, it’s time to do some reflecting on the team in South Florida.
Over the next couple of weeks, we’ll be reviewing and evaluating different positions for the Dolphins in 2023. Today, we’ll look at the linebackers.
Bradley Chubb: A-
Chubb had one of the best seasons of his career in 2023, recording a career-high 73 tackles with 22 quarterback hits, 11 sacks, a league-leading forced fumbles, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.
The 27-year-old was a monster in his first full season in South Florida and proved many of his doubters wrong after starting slow in the back half of 2022.
Unfortunately, he’ll have a long road to get back to his peak form after suffering a torn ACL in Week 16.
Jaelan Phillips: A-
Phillips showed impressive growth in his third professional season, as he was well on his way to set career highs in every category.
In just eight games, he recorded 43 tackles (seven for a loss), 11 quarterback hits, 6.5 sacks, two passes defensed and an interception.
Like Chubb, Phillips will spend the offseason rehabbing, as he suffered a torn Achilles against the New York Jets.
Andrew Van Ginkel: B+
Van Ginkel thrived in Vic Fangio’s system this year, recording 69 tackles (eight for a loss), 19 quarterback hits, a career-high six sacks, eight passes defensed, one interception returned for a touchdown and a lone fumble recovery.
He was another casualty to the injury bug at the end of the season, as a foot injury against the Buffalo Bills in Week 18 kept him out of the playoff game.
The 28-year-old is set to hit free agency in March, but his agent has already made it clear that he wants to return to the Dolphins.
David Long: B+
Long led the team in tackles, with a career-high 113 (nine for a loss) in 2023 and also recorded six quarterback hits, one pass defensed, one sack and one forced fumble.
Miami got Long on an inexpensive, two-year $10 million deal this past offseason because of health concerns for the linebacker, and he rewarded them by playing in all 18 games for the team.
His physical style should be a key piece to the team’s defensive presence going forward, even with a change at coordinator.
Jerome Baker: B
Baker was another player who was getting a lot of negative attention on social media heading into the season, and he changed a lot of opinions with his play.
Despite playing in only 13 games due to an injury suffered by friendly fire from teammate Brandon Jones, Baker was still third on the team in tackles (78). He also recorded four quarterback hits, three passes defensed, two interceptions (one for a touchdown) and 1.5 sacks.
With the cap situations that the Dolphins are in next year, there’s a chance that Baker ends up being a cap casualty, but he’s done enough to earn a chance to stay around if the two sides can make something work.
Duke Riley: C
Riley was once again the third option in the middle of the defense, and he was asked to take on a larger role when Baker went down. It was clear, at least through “Hard Knocks,” that he was confident in his leadership abilities, and he did all right on the field.
The 29-year-old finished the year with 42 tackles, two quarterback hits, one pass defensed, one forced fumble and a half-sack.
Unfortunately, the images of him getting beat down the stretch by running backs in the passing game will be lasting through the offseason.
Cameron Goode: D
Goode played in all 17 games in his second season in the NFL, but he was mainly a special teamer. He finished playing just 76 defensive snaps and 309 on special teams while recording six total tackles and two quarterback hits.
The 2022 seventh-round pick’s season came to an abrupt end when he suffered a torn patellar tendon in the regular-season finale.
For a guy who was already a fringe roster player, losing time in the offseason will be extremely difficult for him. Hopefully, he can come back healthy and stronger than ever.
Channing Tindall: INC
For a second year in a row, Tindall played just 1% of the team’s defensive snaps, this year totaling 12 for Fangio. He played more on special teams, this year, allowing him to total eight tackles in 17 games.
Through two years the former Georgia Bulldog feels like a bust (if a third-round pick can be a bust), but a new opportunity with a new defensive coordinator could be exactly what he needs to earn a role in 2024.
