For the Miami Dolphins, the 2026 NFL Draft has represented a much-needed infusion of talent. Miami’s roster needed talent after they cut ties with most of their high-priced players, as the team’s salary cap space is primarily tied up in players who are no longer a part of the team. However, Dolphins fans will hope that this draft is the moment where the future of the franchise begins to look brighter.
Due to the state of their roster, practically every Dolphins selection addressed a need, and appears poised to get playing time in the 2026 season. While some selections have resulted in pushback from fans and media members, others have drawn universal praise. One of those drawing praise is Miami’s selection of Kyle Louis with the No. 138 pick, who one analyst compared to a Hall of Fame player.
New Miami Dolphins Linebacker Compared to Hall of Fame Player
ESPN NFL analyst Louis Riddick compared the new Dolphins player to Hall of Fame linebacker Derrick Brooks. Riddick said of Kyle Louis, “This is a guy who’s just a straight playmaker. This is a guy who’s your quintessential Will linebacker. He just reminds me so much of Derrick Brooks, and what Derrick Brooks was like when he was in Tampa Bay, when he came out of Florida State as a second-rounder. A guy who was about 225 (pounds) at the same time, just a smidge over six foot, but Kyle’s faster. Kyle has just as good of ball skills, probably has better coverage skills. I can’t say enough of what I think his projection looks like in the NFL,I think he is a Day 1 starter, I think he has Pro Bowl, All-Pro-caliber potential.”
Riddick added, “And on top of the fact that he is a great leader, a great kid, he’s tough as hell, he’s super smart… He’s just a baller man, he’s made for today’s game, he’s gonna come into the league right away just making plays. People are gonna say ‘it was just his measurables that pushed him down and didn’t have him solidly in the first round,’ because there’s nothing else that you can really point that would keep you from saying ‘this is a guy who’s a day one starter and deserves to be first round value.’”
Kyle Louis Prospect Profile
Despite Riddick’s high praise, Louis fell to the fourth round. That resulted in many analysts viewing Miami’s selection as a steal.He was the No. 64-ranked prospect by The Ringer’s NFL Draft analyst Todd McShay. Regarding Louis, McShay wrote:
“Louis is a light linebacker with excellent burst and range. He tied for the third-quickest 10-yard split among all linebackers at the combine. He shoots gaps between the tackles and beats blockers to the point of attack in space. He sidesteps and slips blocks in tight spaces and is a sideline-to-sideline run defender. He flashes the ability to shoot his hands and play off blocks, but he’s not big or strong enough to hold his ground when blockers get into his frame. He falls off some tackles and needs to improve his pursuit angles at times.
He’s a playmaker in coverage, and he intercepted six passes with 12 passes defended over the past two seasons. He reads the quarterback, jumps routes, and tracks and catches the ball well. He’s good at turning his head to locate the ball while he’s running backward. He has excellent range: He’s able to undercut intermediate out-breaking routes, he breaks well on the ball when he drops to hook, and he’s capable of turning and running with tight ends.”
One New Dolphins Rookie is Already Drawing Hall of Fame Comparisons