Dolphins could make out like bandits if one NFL pundit’s prediction comes true for promising rookie
The Dolphins could have gotten a steal in the third round of April’s draft if versatile chess piece Kyle Louis can be utilized properly.
The Miami Dolphins are going younger and cheaper moving forward after parting ways with notable franchise fixtures in Tua Tagovailoa, Tyreek Hill, Bradley Chubb, and Jaylen Waddle this offseason, as well as Minkah Fitzpatrick heading out of town after just a one-year reunion.
The Dolphins’ first free agency under Jon-Eric Sullivan didn’t include any major or marquee additions beyond signing Malik Willis to be their new starting quarterback. Instead, they are hoping for low-dollar, high-level production from players like Josh Uche, Lonnie Johnson, Jr., and Jalen Tolbert,. among others. That was as much out of necessity as anything else, given the Dolphins’ cap situation.
As such, opportunity is knocking for a number of the Dolphins’ 13 draft picks to come in and make a quick impact. And ESPN’s Jordan Reid sees former Pittsburgh LB Kyle Louis as one of the NFL’s most likely post-first round picks to make an impact.
ESPN lists Dolphins LB Kyle Louis among top five rookie impact candidates drafted after the first round
“A versatile option on defense, Louis is the exact type of player that teams should seek to add when establishing a new culture,” Reid wrote. “Under new coach Jeff Hafley, he’ll be an interchangeable second- and third-level threat who can generate turnovers. Louis had 10 sacks and six INTs over his final two collegiate seasons.”
The common knock on Louis coming in was where he would play. Experts doubted his ability to be a three-down linebacker given his size, and that surely led to him still being available in the fourth round for the Dolphins despite having top-tier athleticism for the position. Louis ran a 4.53 40-yard dash, 39.5-inch vertical jump, and 10-foot, 9-inch broad jump.
But for those who choose to exercise a degree in creativity, Louis could be a true difference maker on money downs and/or against the pass. A box safety, nickel linebacker, situational blitzer, and even slot corner (where he played 244 snaps for Pitt in 2025, per PFF) all could be in the cards for the talented defender. That versatility creates confusion and mismatches in Miami’s favor.
It remains to be seen exactly how defensive coordinator Sean Duggan plans to utilize Louis and implement his strengths into the Dolphins’ defense this fall. However, there’s no shortage of options to do so, which should only help him find his way into a role as a contributor quickly for Miami.