MIAMI, FL - NOVEMBER 04: Jerome Baker #55 of the Miami Dolphins celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the New York Jets in the fourth quarter of their game at Hard Rock Stadium on November 4, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

The Miami Dolphins have a thin group and defensive end and that could be a great thing for the linebacker unit heading into 2019.

Under Brian Flores and Patrick Graham, the Miami Dolphins are likely to showcase more linebackers in their new scheme but it is a delicate balance that can play out well or dissolve into chaos.

What we do know is that several players have as close to a guarantee of making the roster than the others. Kiko Alonso, Raekwon McMillan, Jerome Baker, and rookie Andrew Van Ginkel. Van Ginkel would be a huge surprise release given that he was taken in round five.

Van Ginkel is similar to Patriots Kyle Van Noy and the Dolphins are hoping that he will eventually develop into that caliber of a linebacker. This year the Dolphins will likely use him in situational play as well as special teams but he should not have a problem making the roster.

Beyond those four it gets more complicated. As we progress through our predictions, we currently have 18 roster spots remaining that will be split between safety, corner, and linebacker. If Miami carries four safeties and six corners, there is room for eight linebackers and in reality that is not out of the question albeit unlikely.

Last year the Dolphins carried five linebackers into the season but that was before a coaching change that puts more emphasis on the position.

Nate Orchard brings experience to the unit as well and a wild card in this could be former AAF linebacker Jayrone Elliot.

Predictions: Andrew Van Ginkel, Jerome Baker, Raekwon McMillan, Nate Orchard, Kiko Alonso, Chase Allen, and Mike Hull.