Dolphins rookies Trey Moore, Kyle Louis give coach Jeff Hafley versatility

“I think we’ve got a lot of pieces now to do that.”

Moore may be needed mostly on the edge to start his NFL journey. The Dolphins are now flushed with off-ball linebackers but need edge rushers if the combination of Chop Robinson and economical free agents Josh Uche and David Ojabo isn’t exceptional on its own. And Miami waited until Day 3 of the draft to address the edge need, with Moore and then seventh-round pick Max Llewellyn.

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Before transferring to Texas for 2024 and 2025, Moore had a whopping 14 sacks at UTSA in 2023 playing as a 3-4 outside linebacker.

“I played defensive end in a 4-2 scheme at Texas my first year, then I played inside linebacker in that same scheme,” Moore listed recently as to his versatility. “I played Sam ‘backer in a 4-3 scheme, and I’ve played Will, outside ‘backer, boundary ‘backer in a 3-4 scheme.

“I do a lot of things well, so whatever they need me to do, whatever role they need me to play, I’m going to be able to do that as best as I can.”

As Moore is 6 feet 2, 243 pounds, Louis is on the opposite end of the linebacker flexibility spectrum at 6 feet, 200 pounds. He was a converted safety to play linebacker at Pittsburgh, and some believe him to project as a big safety in the NFL, which Hafley has mentioned him doing.

“I feel the most at home at linebacker,” Louis explained. “I feel the most at home going against tight ends at linebacker, going against running backs at linebacker, beating a lineman at linebacker. And then passing downs, packages or heavy-run downs, I could definitely play the nickel role when needed.”

His safety experience helps with his coverage skills.

“Ideal role for me is playing the Will linebacker spot and having different coverage responsibilities, I’d say that,” he said.

That would let him learn behind Jordyn Brooks at the Will.

“Obviously, similar but different. Both versatile pieces,” Dolphins assistant GM Kyle Smith said shortly after Miami drafted both Moore and Louis in the fourth round.

Smith said of Moore: “He’s been a pressure player his whole career that he’s been in college ball. So his versatility is playing multi-line, stack, edge and has the body and athleticism to play on both third downs and special teams.”

And Smith added on Louis: “We see his third-down value in coverage, very athletic guy, can run, play man coverage, can align as a big nickel, dime linebacker.”

In Louis, who wasn’t expected to last into the third day of the draft, the Dolphins are getting a motivated player.

“It’s definitely motivation,” he said of the slight to fall into the fourth round. “Most importantly, it’s just I thank God for humbling me in that way, so I’m going to come in hungry, for sure.”

Moore expressed at rookie minicamp on Friday that he, Louis and Rodriguez have developed an early rapport.

“Me, him and Jacob have been obviously working together and learning a bunch of stuff,” he said. “Those guys are great. I think we’re going to be real close, and it’s good to work with those guys.”