SAN DIEGO -- Kiko Alonso was a mere footnote for the Miami Dolphins in March. The middle linebacker was considered a throw in during a pre-draft trade with the Philadelphia Eagles that also involved cornerback Byron Maxwell and swapping first-round picks.

Maxwell was the player the Dolphins coveted and needed most in their secondary. Alonso was more of a bonus project. He looked shaky for the Eagles last season and suffered multiple knee injuries in his career. Miami hoped Alonso could get close to the form he had his rookie season in 2013 but knew there were no guarantees.

Eight months later, acquiring Alonso is paying big dividends for the Dolphins. The middle linebacker had a game-winning, 60-yard interception return in Sunday’s 31-24 victory over the San Diego Chargers, which was Miami’s first road win in over a year.

Alonso channeled his inner fighter during his touchdown celebration after delivering the knockout blow to the Chargers (4-6).

Kiko Alonso wasn't the centerpiece of an offseason trade with Philadelphia, but the middle linebacker played a leading role on Sunday. Jake Roth/USA TODAY Sports

“I was glad I could do my Conor McGregor walk after that,” Alonso said of mimicking the popular mixed martial arts champion.

Added Dolphins coach Adam Gase: “He’s a very instinctive player. I know there have been a couple times he gambles and he loses, but there have been a lot of times he gambles and he’s right. And that was a situation where he was right.”

Alonso has been far from a one-hit wonder. He leads the Dolphins in tackles (71), tackles for losses (five) and fumble recoveries (two). Alonso, as the middle linebacker, also is responsible for calling out plays and making adjustments on defense. He took on a lot of responsibility in his first year with a new team.

Alonso wasn’t most proud of his interception Sunday night. Instead, he was happy that he outran Chargers receiver Tyrell Williams 60 yards for a touchdown.

When healthy, Alonso is one of the most athletic linebackers in the NFL, and the run after the catch was a telling sign that Alonso is getting close to getting his full explosiveness back.

“I felt [No.] 15 coming outside of me,” Alonso said. “I just kind of broke in and used my [speed]. That’s my first touchdown on defense ever, high school and college. So it felt good.”

The Dolphins’ front office should also feel good about Alonso. He’s one of the best under-the-radar trades of the 2016 season. Maxwell had his ups and downs but is Miami’s best cornerback, and the Eagles moved up the board enough to eventually trade again and get rookie quarterback Carson Wentz. Both teams got what they were looking for.