How will the Miami Dolphins replace two-time Super Bowl champion Elandon Roberts?
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Former sixth-round pick Elandon Roberts played 17 games in two of three seasons with the Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins made significant moves with the additions of defensive coordinator Vic Fangio and All-Pro defensive back Jalen Ramsey. The duo joins a roster of players that jump off the page — cornerback Xavien Howard, linebacker Bradley Chubb, and defensive tackle Christian Wilkins — Miami’s defense features plenty of star-power players.
It was a busy offseason for general manager Chris Grier as more than half the team’s roster entered free agency following the 2022 season. Elandon Roberts, a three-year starter for the Dolphins, signed a deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Miami went in a different direction by signing former Tennessee Titans linebacker David Long Jr. and giving Andrew Van Ginkel snaps at inside linebacker during minicamp.
It isn’t a position that could hamstring Miami’s defense, but replacing Roberts won’t be easy. The former sixth-round pick was active for 17 games in back-to-back seasons and flashed flexibility at the second level.
Roberts closed the 2022 season with 95 tackles and a career-high 45 sacks in Josh Boyer’s blitz-happy defense. He was one of the league’s top blitzing inside linebackers last season but played a different role when Brian Flores was head coach.
Roberts had fewer tackles in 2021, 77, but also knocked down three passes and captured his first career pick-six — taking a Derek Carr pass 82 yards back to the house.
Long intercepted two passes in back-to-back seasons and registered a career-high 86 tackles a season ago. Additionally, Van Ginkel’s experience gives him a running start at the position — if Miami decides to go in that direction — and there’s always a chance a rookie can emerge during the preseason.
That said, stepping in and replacing a two-time Super Bowl champion who tackled a dude through another due is no easy task.
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