With The First Pick
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Kiko Alonso making his way back in Miami

By Carl Cockerham

Sep 14, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Kiko Alonso (50) celebrates his interception in the end zone against the Atlanta Falcons in the first quarter at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 14, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Kiko Alonso (50) celebrates his interception in the end zone against the Atlanta Falcons in the first quarter at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /
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Acquiring DT Ndamukong Suh and DE Mario Williams in back-to-back years the Miami Dolphins set on the defensive line for 2016. One of the areas the team had a need at going into the offseason was linebacker, as OLB Koa Misi was the only one you can call a core player coming back from 2015.

Then the got MLB Kiko Alonso and on-again, off-again CB Byron Maxwell to move to No. 13 overall from No. 8 in the draft. As it stands now, even if Maxwell is on his game in 2016, the Dolphins still need a CB and can get one at No. 13. And if the get the right version of Alonso, the Miami Dolphins will be tough on defense in 2016.

In 2013, Alonso was an NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year candidate as a 2nd-round pick by the Buffalo Bills. Then after missing all of 2014 with a torn ACL and traded to Philadelphia Eagles, he had 30 tackles and an INT in 11 games in 2015. That’s obviously not much but everyone isn’t Adrian Peterson or Todd Gurley.

Most people need more time to build their strength back up and for others, it’s all mental. Alonso now has a season of football under his belt and continues his work through the offseason so 2016 should be at least pretty good for him. So far this offseason, Alonso’s new teammates in Miami like what they see and look forward to playing with him.

Misi said of Alonso on the teams official site, “He’s fast. He can make plays. I’m not sure where everybody is playing this year, but I watched him when he was in Buffalo. He was a great player. We’ll see what he can do for us this year. I’ve actually trained with Kiko a couple of times this offseason already.

“He seems like a good guy. It’s going to be nice to have him out there on the field with us and hopefully we can do some big things.”

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