The Miami Dolphins made their first move to address the team’s depleted linebacking corp by re-signing Duke Riley on Tuesday morning.
Riley, who emerged as a starter late last season, getting included in key packages in the second-half of the season, signed a one-year deal worth $3 million, according to his agent Drew Rosenhaus.
Riley, a New Orleans native who is engaged and having a child with social media influencer Julieanna “Yes Julz” Goddard, has turned South Florida into his home, so remaining with the Dolphins was a priority.
Riley, who contributed 26 tackles in the 16 games he played in 2021, has started 27 of the 73 games he’d played in the NFL. It’s possible that he could contend for a starting inside linebacker role this spring because that unit has been thinned out by free agency more than any other.
Jerome Baker, who worked as both an inside and outside linebacker last season, and has been the team’s leading tackler for the past three seasons, Andrew Van Ginkel, a starter for the past two years, Calvin Munson, Darius Hodge and Riley are the only linebackers under contract as of Tuesday morning.
Elandon Roberts, a starter for the past two years, Vince Biegel, a starter in 2019, Sam Eguavoen, a starter in 2019, and Brennan Scarlett, who started four games last season, are all unrestricted free agents. It’s possible that a couple of these linebackers will be re-signed by the Dolphins later this week, or at some point before the offseason program opens in April.
But it is also possible that Miami could upgrade themselves at that position by signing former Seahawks Pro Bowler Bobby Wagner, whom the team has expressed interest in, or add a veteran linebacker like Kwon Alexander, along others.
Miami could also address the linebacker position in the 2022 NFL draft by selecting one with one of the team’s earlier draft picks.
Linebacker and offensive tackle remains Miami’s positions of need this offseason based on the moves Miami made in day one of the legal tampering period, re-signing defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah, and agreeing to contracts with quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, tailback Chase Edmonds, receiver Cedric Wilson Jr., and cornerback Keion Crossen.
The Dolphins also need to address the team’s tight end position despite the fact Mike Gesicki signed his franchise tag. Durham Smythe, who has started 41 games as the team’s in-line tight end, remains a free agent. And in Miami’s new run-heavy offensive scheme that position is important.
If Smythe isn’t re-signed, or another tight end isn’t added in free agency the Dolphins would be reliant on Adam Shaheen, Hunter Long, a 2021 third-round pick, and Cethan Carter to fill that role.
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