The Miami Dolphins successfully secured former Seattle Seahawks first-rounder Jordyn Brooks in NFL free agency, offering him a contract worth $26.25 million over three seasons, with $9.5 million guaranteed.
This move not only convinced Brooks to leave Seattle but also drew praise from Bleacher Report analyst Maurice Moton. On March 21, Moton hailed the signing of Brooks as the Dolphins’ “smartest” offseason move thus far.
Moton emphasized the significance of the acquisition, stating, “The Miami Dolphins addressed a significant gap in their defensive lineup by adding linebacker Jordyn Brooks.” He highlighted Brooks’ potential, noting his development alongside the Seahawks’ Bobby Wagner, a six-time All-Pro.
Describing Brooks’ playing style, Moton highlighted his ability to effectively tackle ball-carriers and cited his impressive tackle statistics from previous seasons, where he consistently recorded over 161 tackles while maintaining a low missed tackle rate.
While acknowledging a slight increase in Brooks’ missed tackle rate in 2023, Moton highlighted his improved contribution to the Seahawks’ pass rush, achieving a career-high of 4.5 sacks last year.
Given the Dolphins’ situation with injured edge-rushers Jaelan Phillips and Bradley Chubb, Moton speculated that Brooks could potentially be utilized as a pass-rusher in blitz packages. He concluded by suggesting that Brooks is likely to emerge as a key leader in the Dolphins’ defense, making impactful plays across all downs.
Dolphins Betting on Upside With Jordyn Brooks Contract While Also Giving Themselves an ‘Out’ After Year 2
When scrutinizing this contract further, it essentially represents a commitment of two years from general manager Chris Grier and the Dolphins, or more aptly, a two-year trial period with potential significant returns.
According to Over the Cap, Brooks’ cap hit is weighted towards the latter part of his contract, particularly in the second and third years, but there’s no guaranteed money for 2026. This means that if Brooks fails to perform as expected in Miami, the Dolphins could opt to release him as a post-June 1 cut before his third season with the team, incurring only $1.675 million in dead money over the subsequent years.
However, the expectation is that Brooks will thrive in Miami as a high-caliber player entering his prime. If he does, this signing by Grier will be seen as a steal, especially considering the relatively low cap hit of $2.8 million in 2024.
While Brooks showcased athleticism and a knack for hard hits during his time with the Seahawks, there are areas where he can improve. Notably, his turnover creation record in Seattle—only three turnovers forced (two fumbles, one interception)—falls short of expectations for an impact defender.
Moreover, Brooks’ performance as a run defender in 2023 was lackluster, with an average tackle depth of 3.9 yards, tying for 35th in the NFL according to Pro Football Focus (with a minimum requirement of 50% of snaps played). His run stop percentage of 6.7% wasn’t much better, ranking 39th at his position.
As suggested by Moton, 2023 was a downturn for Brooks, but there’s optimism that he can bounce back under the guidance of Anthony Weaver in the new Dolphins defensive system.
Jordyn Brooks Gives Dolphins Speed on Both Sides of the Football
We’re already familiar with Miami’s offensive speed, but let’s also include Brooks in that discussion. While he may not outrun Tyreek Hill or De’Von Achane in a sprint, this linebacker is among the swiftest defenders in the league, and he’s fully aware of it.
“I believe I’m among the fastest individuals in the NFL, not just among linebackers, but overall,” Brooks expressed to reporters during his introductory press conference. He originally clocked a 4.54-second 40-yard dash time back in 2020.
Brooks highlighted his excitement about joining a coaching staff led by Weaver, a key figure with the Baltimore Ravens, and he’s equally thrilled about joining a Dolphins franchise he sees as “trending upwards.”
The tackling powerhouse attributes his knack for finding the ball to his instincts, his readiness to make crucial tackles, his hustle, and his ability to read and react to plays. He emphasized that physicality and speed define his playing style.
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