Linebackers Kiko Alonso, Jerome Baker, and Raekwon McMillan are all returning starters after a mixed bag of results in 2018. But with Brian Flores at the helm instead of Adam Gase, the hope is that more production and a higher impact can be found on the second level of the Dolphins defense this season. The early returns suggest one thing: Miami has more depth at the position.

Baker had a strong rookie season and has hit the ground running in camp so far as Miami’s defensive play caller in the huddle. After a hesitant rookie year from a personality perspective, Baker’s leadership is shining in a big way.

It seems as though Alonso is staying steady like he has since he came to the Dolphins in a trade in 2016; we generally know what we’re going to get with Alonso, for better or for worse. But where the evaluation of Miami’s linebackers gets interesting is the usage of McMillan and former CFL linebacker Sam Eguavoen.

Eguavoen was running with the first-team defense over McMillan for the first three days before McMillan was back at first-team linebacker on Day 4 of camp. Having a battle at middle linebacker is great for the defense — once someone wins the job. These two will push each other while also giving this team some much-needed depth. To top it all off, rookie Andrew Van Ginkel has made some plays early on as well.

Which brings the Dolphins to a total of five linebackers that likely find a role on this team, not counting the two battling injuries (Mike Hull and Chase Allen). Needless to say, the linebacker position is looking much different than it did last season, between the growth of the two young players in McMillan and Baker and the newcomers in Van Ginkel and Eguavoen.

In just one offseason, the Dolphins front office has managed to find depth and hopefully fix one of the biggest issues of the team: the run defense. If the Dolphins wish to compete, they need much improved play from the defensive line and the linebackers this season. So far, those positions have shown to be the biggest improvement.