DAVIE, Fla. -- From the outside, most view the Miami Dolphins’ addition of middle linebacker Kiko Alonso as a risk. The fourth-year player hasn’t been dominant since his rookie year when he led the Buffalo Bills with 159 tackles and four interceptions.

Since 2013, it’s been mostly injuries and disappointment for Alonso. An offseason knee injury ended one season before it began, and Alonso didn’t perform up to expectations in his first year with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2015. That helped facilitate a trade to Miami.

However, the Dolphins are happy with their early returns. They are confident, from what they’ve seen, that Alonso will return to form in their scheme in 2016.

Kiko Alonso has drawn praise from Dolphins coaches at training camp. AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee

“He’s a long, rangy, instinctive kid,” linebackers coach Matt Burke said. “He’s got a great feel in space for us and getting in throwing lanes. He covers a lot of ground. He’s really picked up on what we’re trying to do.”

The Dolphins are utilizing a “wide-nine” defense that focuses on containing the running game inside and pressuring the quarterback. This allows Alonso cover ground and use his speed pursuing the football.

Miami’s biggest strength defensively is its defensive line. Big, athletic linemen such as Ndamukong Suh, Mario Williams and Cameron Wake -- who combine for 12 Pro Bowls -- are expected to keep big bodies off Alonso. Last year, Alonso struggled to shed blocks and got pushed around at times with the Eagles.

“I think middle for him is his natural position,” defensive coordinator Vance Joseph said. “I think Kiko is a modern-day Mike ’backer. Back in the day, you got those Mike ’backers who are really A-gap run stoppers and big guys who can cover. It’s a passing league along with a little bit of one-back run.”

The Dolphins linebackers struggled last year to defend tight ends and slot receivers. Alonso should help in that area. He is expected to be a three-down middle linebacker this season as long as he holds up again the run.

“It’s ideal, especially with little things like having the guy that has the headset, a guy you can keep on the field for all three downs and can play and you’re not worried about it,” Burke said. “So that’s why we feel (he’s) kind of a modern-day (middle linebacker) where he’s not a two-down thumper and you’re worried about his match-ups in space. We feel just as comfortable with him playing on third-and-10 as we do on first-and-10. So that will be helpful for us to keep him going like that.”