Dolphins resign linebacker Elandon Roberts

The Miami Dolphins’ linebacker room was a point of emphasis for general manager Chris Grier in the early portions of the 2021 NFL offseason. The team decided to cut linebacker Kyle Van Noy and subsequently trade for veteran LB Benardrick McKinney, which had many Dolphins fans anticipating that the room will be turned upside down by the time the season starts this fall.

And while the room will certainly feature some new faces, it may not be as remodeled as it appeared destined to be at the start of free agency. Jerome Baker will be back in a starring role. Vince Biegel returns for a chance to claim some of Van Noy’s reps alongside fellow former Wisconsin Badgers Andrew Van Ginkel.

And now the Dolphins have agreed to terms with linebacker Elandon Roberts for a return in 2021.

Roberts finished 5th on the 2020 Dolphins in tackles (61) and third on the team in tackles for loss (8) despite playing just 39% of the Dolphins’ defensive snaps last year. When teams tried to run the ball between the tackles on Miami, it was often Roberts who showed up to crash the party and collision backs for minimal gains.

Roberts, for all of his appear defending the run, was someone that the Dolphins made a concentrated effort to avoid playing out in space; he did not show a great feel for pass coverage and Miami clearly wanted to avoid charging him with taking those reps often. And, furthermore, Roberts will be returning from a “significant” right knee injury as well — so while his return is a boost for Miami’s continuity, the team may not be done addressing this group before the start of the 2021 season.

Look for Miami to potentially target a coverage linebacker in next month’s draft. But the team can rest easy knowing that between Roberts and McKinney, the Dolphins will be formidable between the tackles next season.