6 hypothetical trades for Dolphins LB Jordyn Brooks: Exploring the market for Miami’s defensive leader amid a massive rebuild

After a late week rumor about Brooks being of interest to an NFC team, what could possible offers look like?

Nov 9, 2025; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins linebacker Jordyn Brooks (20) runs on the field before a game against the Buffalo Bills at Hard Rock Stadium. Jeff Romance-Imagn Images

It feels like the rest of the NFL keeps eyeing the Miami Dolphins like a juicy steak.

It is no secret that Miami is in the business of pooling draft picks, even if that comes at the expense of the current standout players on the roster. Just ask WR Jaylen Waddle, who is now a Denver Bronco. Or Minkah Fitzpatrick, who is now a New York Jets. The Dolphins new management group does seem to have some limits — RB Devon Achane reportedly have had suitors stiff-armed by Miami.

Could LB Jordyn Brooks be next? A recent report alleged at least one team is considering Brooks as a trade target. If Brooks truly is available, what kind of offers could Miami get? I asked my colleagues at A to Z Sports NFL for their hypothetical trade packages for Brooks.

Six hypothetical trade offers for Dolphins LB Jordyn Brooks

Sep 14, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa (97) celebrates with defensive tackle Kenny Clark (95) after a play against the New York Giants during the second quarter at AT&T Stadium.
Sep 14, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa (97) celebrates with defensive tackle Kenny Clark (95) after a play against the New York Giants during the second quarter at AT&T Stadium. Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

The Dallas Cowboys

Trade Compensation
Cowboys get: LB Jordyn Brooks, 2026 fifth-round pick (No. 151 overall)
Dolphins get: 2026 third-round pick (No. 92 overall)


The Dallas Cowboys are in desperate need of a middle linebacker and waiting until the NFL Draft is a dangerous proposition. They recently traded Osa Odighizuwa for No. 92 overall, and using it on a Day 2 rookie would feel like a massive waste considering they’re supposed to be in “win now” mode as Dak Prescott gears up for his 33-year-old season. If they use it to get an All-Pro linebacker like Brooks, losing Odighizuwa would make it look like a much better deal. This way, the Cowboys go from having a questionable starting duo at LB to a dangerous one, as DeMarvion Overshown would finally get a top-tier running mate on the second level. – Mauricio Rodriguez, A to Z Sports Dallas

Oct 6, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back Rico Dowdle (23) runs the ball against Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Payton Wilson (41) during the fourth quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Dallas won 20-17.
Oct 6, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back Rico Dowdle (23) runs the ball against Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Payton Wilson (41) during the fourth quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Dallas won 20-17. Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

The Pittsburgh Steelers

Trade Compensation
Steelers get: LB Jordyn Brooks
Dolphins get: 2026 third-round pick (No. 85 overall)


It might feel a bit ironic to see the Steelers on this list seeing as they had a stacked backer of their own in trade rumors recently, but even with Patrick Queen making it through the roster bonus deadline, that unit needs some help. Malik Harrison was the starter after early contests showed Payton Wilson wasn’t ready to be a full time backer on early downs. Right now, the Steelers are slated to run it back with the same LB corps from last season, and that’s simply not exciting. You know what is? Jordyn Brooks.

One of the best sideline to sideline off ball backers in the league, he and Queen would form a tremendous duo as run and chase players. But where the Steelers would upgrade, is with Brooks ability to disrupt at the line of scrimmage and below it. Too often in 2025, Pittsburgh’s backers got caught in traffic or waiting for the play to come to them. With Brooks, he’s coming down in a hurry, and with true striking power. I would part ways with one of the Steelers 3rd rounders and not look twice. – Rob Gregson, A to Z Sports Pittsburgh

Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Jihaad Campbell (30) celebrates an interception with linebacker Zack Baun (53) during the second half against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium.
Sep 28, 2025; Tampa, Florida, USA; Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Jihaad Campbell (30) celebrates an interception with linebacker Zack Baun (53) during the second half against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn ImagesPhiladelphia Eagles linebacker Jihaad Campbell (30) celebrates an interception with linebacker Zack Baun (53) during the second half against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images

The Philadelphia Eagles

Trade Compensation
Eagles get: LB Jordyn Brooks, 2026 seventh-round pick (No. 227 overall)
Dolphins get: 2026 fourth-round pick (No. 137 overall)


Philadelphia lost Nakobe Dean during free agency and haven’t made an impact linebacker addition following that. Jihaad Campbell and Zack Baun lead that room, but due to Campbell’s inexperience and injury history, it’s worth considering this sort of trade for a proven commodity. With Philly’s amount of draft capital between day two and early day three, they can afford this type of move when it comes to compensation they send off.

Not to mention, the Eagles have made some contract adjustments and choices to clear salary cap space. They currently have $34 million to work with right now. It’s a good blend of value, price, and addressing a need for the Birds.– Adam Holt, A to Z Sports NFL

Oct 19, 2025; London, United Kingdom; Los Angeles Rams linebacker Josaiah Stewart (10) and linebacker Jared Verse (8) reacts after a play against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the second half of an NFL International Series game at Wembley Stadium.
Oct 19, 2025; London, United Kingdom; Los Angeles Rams linebacker Josaiah Stewart (10) and linebacker Jared Verse (8) reacts after a play against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the second half of an NFL International Series game at Wembley Stadium. Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

    The Los Angeles Rams

    Trade Compensation
    Rams get: LB Jordyn Brooks
    Dolphins get: 2026 third-round pick (No. 93 overall)


    The Rams are going all in this offseason, and that means solving as many problems as they can. The biggest issue left on the roster is at linebacker, where the Rams have one of the worst units in the NFL, and it bit them in every single loss last season. With as little holes as they have on the roster, they have more picks in the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft than needs, and they could go a long way with making a deal here for a significant needle-mover at linebacker like Jordyn Brooks.

    Brooks is better than any linebacker they will be able to realistically get, and his acquisition solves their weakest link on the defense and turns it into a bonafide Super Bowl caliber unit. He solves their coverage woes over the middle of the field and can gives them the speed they are sorely missing at the second level of the field. I would push all the chips in here and see if Miami wants an eighth top-100 pick. – AJ Schulte, A to Z Sports NFL

    Nov 17, 2024; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Minnesota Vikings linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. (0) sneaks a peak into the backfield against the Tennessee Titans during the second half at Nissan Stadium.
    Nov 17, 2024; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Minnesota Vikings linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. (0) sneaks a peak into the backfield against the Tennessee Titans during the second half at Nissan Stadium.Steve Roberts-Imagn Images

    The Minnesota Vikings

    Trade Compensation
    Vikings get: LB Jordyn Brooks
    Dolphins get: LB Ivan Pace Jr., 2027 conditional third-round pick (upgrades to second-round with Pro Bowl)


    One position that the Minnesota Vikings have a dire need at is linebacker. They did sign Eric Wilson to a contract extension, but there is on ly one linebacker on the roster signed past 2026. Getting Brooks in a Brian Flores system that would maximize his ability to be versatile, and also give Wilson the ability to be that gap shooter which earned him the contract extension in the first place. This would likely signal the end for Blake Cashman, but he’s missed too many games for the Vikings over the past two seasons. – Tyler Forness, A to Z Sports Minnesota

    Nov 23, 2025; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) runs against Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Demetrius Knight Jr. (44) during the first half at Paycor Stadium.
    Nov 23, 2025; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) runs against Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Demetrius Knight Jr. (44) during the first half at Paycor Stadium.© Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images

    The Cincinnati Bengals

    Trade Compensation
    Bengals get: LB Jordyn Brooks, 2026 fifth-round pick (151st overall)
    Dolphins get: 2026 fourth-round pick (110th overall)


    The Cincinnati Bengals wanted to sign a veteran linebacker and just never did. Oops! The plan now seems to be see what the veteran market looks like after the 2026 NFL Draft, but none of those options would come close to what Brooks is. Cincinnati was high on Brooks in the 2020 draft, but never even got the chance to pick him after he went off the board in the first round that year. The Bengals can get him now in his last full year of his 20s, but in typical fashion, a pick-for-player trade would not be their first offer. They do not have a fifth-rounder, but can give away their fourth in exchange.

    All Cincinnati really needs is a competent veteran to help out Demetrius Knight Jr. and Barrett Carter in their second seasons. Brooks can do that and some if they’re willing to make an offer. – John Sheeran, A to Z Sports Cincinnati

    The Final Verdict

    I’m not going to lie, I thought the size of this market would have yielded a little bit of a more aggressive market. Brooks was a first-team All-Pro in 2025 with a first round pedigree and currently sits in the prime of his career, after all.

    Miami moved Jaylen Waddle because they got an undeniably strong value for his services from Denver. I wouldn’t classify any of these deals as undeniably strong values for Brooks. And, as such, I’d probably be more inclined to hold onto him moving forward and work on a contract extension.

    We’ve seen plenty of linebackers play at an exceptionally high level into their early 30s, so Brooks being 28 years old doesn’t deter me from a multi-year extension if the alternative is a market of deals that sit in this price range. His quiet, intense leadership would be welcomed amid the culture reset effort underway in Miami. I’m not keen on just giving that away for a fifth third-round pick. I will say that the most compelling offer I received came from Minnesota, who is offering a replacement player, a potential second-round pick, and isn’t asking for another asset back.