Jordyn Brooks
Getty
FOX Sports's Ralph Vacchiano proposed the Miami Dolphins trade linebacker Jordyn Brooks to the Cincinnati Bengals for two 2026 draft picks.
The Miami Dolphins have already said goodbye to multiple offensive stars. This week, FOX Sports’s Ralph Vacchiano proposed the exodus in Miami continue with All-Pro linebacker Jordyn Brooks.
This week, Vacchiano suggested the Dolphins shop Brooks during the 2026 NFL Draft. The analyst then proposed the team trade Brooks to the Cincinnati Bengals for a pair of 2026 NFL Draft picks.
“The 28-year-old Brooks is a tackle machine, coming off an All-Pro season and heading into the last year of his contract,” wrote Vacchiano. “That last part is reason enough for the rebuilding Dolphins to trade him, especially if they could get the Bengals’ third-round pick, and a little more, in return.”
In his second campaign with the Dolphins, Brooks made first-team All-Pro last season for the first time in his career. He registered a league-high 183 combined tackles and 99 solos. Brooks also had a career-high 13 tackles for loss.
Additionally, he posted 3.5 sacks, three pass defenses and one forced fumble.
Why the Dolphins Could Trade LB Jordyn Brooks
Jordyn Brooks
GettyFOX Sports’s Ralph Vacchiano proposed the Miami Dolphins trade linebacker Jordyn Brooks to the Cincinnati Bengals for two 2026 draft picks.
There’s little reason to argue against the Bengals wanting to acquire Brooks. Cincinnati had one of the worst defenses in the league last season.
If the Bengals want to be a more serious contender in the AFC North, they need to play better on that side of the ball.
A linebacker such as Brooks would be a tremendous help. He can hide a lot of other deficiencies because of his speed and play-making ability.
Over the past five seasons, Brooks has averaged 156 combined tackles per campaign. He’s also averaged nine tackles for loss, about five pass defenses and 2.5 sacks.
As for the Dolphins, Vacciano sees Brooks as a trade candidate because the team seems to be embracing a full rebuild under new head coach Jeff Hafley. The team already parted ways with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and wide receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle.
Brooks will turn 29 years old in October. He might not be in his prime anymore when the Dolphins are ready to seriously compete.
That could mean the linebacker’s best value to the franchise is as a trade chip. If that’s the case, Brooks isn’t likely to have any higher value than what he does right now coming off his All-Pro campaign.
Dolphins 2026 Draft Capital With NFL Draft Two Weeks Away
Jordyn Brooks
GettyMiami Dolphins linebacker Jordyn Brooks made his first All-Pro team during the 2025 campaign.
It’s important to note, though, that with less than two weeks until the start of the 2026 NFL Draft, the Dolphins already have nine draft picks.
In the first three rounds, Miami will select five players, barring any more trades.
Acquiring draft picks is rarely seen as a bad thing in the NFL, especially for a non-contender. But there can be such a thing as too many picks.
As much as the Dolphins are turning the page, they can’t scrap their whole 2025 roster. The team has to keep some portion of its veterans to lead the incoming rookies and young players in the building.
Brooks could be that guy for the Dolphins, helping Hafley take the franchise into the next era.