The Dolphins signed linebacker Lawrence Timmons away from Pittsburgh in free agency. Since they already had a middle linebacker in Kiko Alonso, some guesswork was required in determining whether Timmons or Alonso would occupy that high-value role in IDP leagues. Looks like it will be Timmons.

That's what we guessed when putting together our preseason IDP rankings, and that's what a team source tells the Miami Herald is the most likely plan this season. If that's how things go, Timmons will be the more valuable player -- should rack up a lot more tackles.

Timmons has long been one of the league's more productive linebackers. He's gone over 100 tackles in each of the last five seasons. That's something only three other players have done. Only 16 players have done it in even three of those five seasons.

100-TACKLE LBS, 3-PLUS SEASONS (2012-2016)
YearPlayer SoloAstComb
2016Lawrence Timmons, Pitt.7836114
2015Lawrence Timmons, Pitt.7742119
2014Lawrence Timmons, Pitt.8745132
2013Lawrence Timmons, Pitt.8640126
2012Lawrence Timmons, Pitt.7531106
2016Bobby Wagner, Sea.8582167
2015Bobby Wagner, Sea.6747114
2014Bobby Wagner, Sea.6737104
2013Bobby Wagner, Sea.7248120
2012Bobby Wagner, Sea.8753140
2016Luke Kuechly, Car.7131102
2015Luke Kuechly, Car.7642118
2014Luke Kuechly, Car.9954153
2013Luke Kuechly, Car.9363156
2012Luke Kuechly, Car.10361164
2016Thomas Davis, Car.7333106
2015Thomas Davis, Car.7530105
2014Thomas Davis, Car.6634100
2013Thomas Davis, Car.8538123
2012Thomas Davis, Car.7035105
2012Paul Posluszny, Buf.10633139
2016Paul Posluszny, Jac.9636132
2015Paul Posluszny, Jac.10330133
2013Paul Posluszny, Jac.12240162
2015David Harris, NYJ6741108
2014David Harris, NYJ7152123
2013David Harris, NYJ7054124
2012David Harris, NYJ7944123
2014D'Qwell Jackson, Clev. 8157138
2013D'Qwell Jackson, Clev. 7566141
2012D'Qwell Jackson, Clev. 6355118
2015D'Qwell Jackson, Ind.8961150
2015James Laurinaitis, St.L.6148109
2014James Laurinaitis, St.L.8128109
2013James Laurinaitis, St.L.8531116
2012James Laurinaitis, St.L.11725142
2016Jerrell Freeman, Chi.8624110
2015Jerrell Freeman, Ind.6646112
2013Jerrell Freeman, Ind.8343126
2012Jerrell Freeman, Ind.9055145
2013Karlos Dansby, Ariz.1148122
2012Karlos Dansby, Ariz.10133134
2016Karlos Dansby, Cin.6945114
2015Karlos Dansby, Cle.6246108
2015Lavonte David, T.B.8562147
2014Lavonte David, T.B.10145146
2013Lavonte David, T.B.10738145
2012Lavonte David, T.B.11227139
2014Curtis Lofton, N.O.9945144
2013Curtis Lofton, N.O.8243125
2012Curtis Lofton, N.O.8241123
2015Daryl Smith, Balt.7249121
2014Daryl Smith, Balt.6860128
2013Daryl Smith, Balt.5766123
2015Derrick Johnson, K.C.9521116
2013Derrick Johnson, K.C.9512107
2012Derrick Johnson, K.C.11015125
2015Stephen Tulloch, Det.7433107
2013Stephen Tulloch, Det.9342135
2012Stephen Tulloch, Det.7438112
2015NaVorro Bowman, S.F.11638154
2013NaVorro Bowman, S.F.12025145
2012NaVorro Bowman, S.F.9652148

Carolina has had two of those players (Luke Kuechly and Thomas Davis), and maybe Miami will too, giving both Timmons and Alonso solid value. But Timmons is the better bet.

--Andy Richardson