Miami Dolphins: 3 UDFAs who could make an immediate impact

Terrill Hanks, LB, New Mexico State

The linebacker position is another where the Miami Dolphins could use an infusion of youth and talent. They did not address the position in the 2019 NFL Draft, unless you count edge rusher Andrew Van Ginkel. Simply put, there is room for a young linebacker to come in and make an impact in this defense and Terrill Hanks stands out as the obvious choice in this UDFA class.

Hanks grew up and went to high school in Miami before leaving to play at New Mexico State in college. He is an extremely physical player who consistently plays downhill and has an impressive nose to the ball. Hanks is not a particularly impressive athlete, but he does show some occasional explosive speed on his way to the ball and can move around well in tight spaces.

He is not the kind of linebacker who can range from sideline-to-sideline and make plays all over the field, but the overall speed and range is not a huge concern here. Hanks is a strong run defender who can also create some pressure on the quarterback when asked to blitz. His coverage ability is inconsistent, but he can hold his own in short zone situations.

Most importantly, Hanks is an impressive special teams player who could come in and provide immediate value in that area. His overall defensive skill set needs some work, but he does have some raw upside and should be able to be a contributor on special teams right away.

Barring injury, Hanks has a solid chance of making the 53-man roster out of training camp.