
#51 LB · Miami Dolphins
Height
6'2"
Weight
227 lbs
Age
27
College
Houston Christian
Draft
Undrafted
Experience
5 yrs
LB Rank
#338 / 349
Grade this player:
| Year | Team | GP | Tkl | Sacks | INT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Career | ![]() | 67 | 40 | — | — |
| 2025 | ![]() | 2 | 2 | 0.0 | 0 |
| 2024 | ![]() | 17 | 9 | 0.0 | 0 |
| 2023 | ![]() | 17 |
Length
1 year
Total Value
$1.2M
AAV
$1.2M/yr
The Miami Dolphins secured solid value with Caleb Johnson's one-year, $1.2M deal, landing what amounts to a fair market contract for an unproven linebacker with upside potential. At just over $1M annually, this represents smart roster-building for a player whose production tier remains largely unknown — the Dolphins aren't overpaying for mystery, but they're also not getting a proven commodity at a discount. The short-term structure works perfectly for both sides, giving Johnson a chance to establish himself without handcuffing Miami to a longer commitment if he doesn't develop as hoped. This C CVI reflects the reality of investing in unproven talent: you're paying appropriate wages for someone who could either emerge as a valuable contributor or remain a depth piece. For a franchise looking to build linebacker depth without breaking the bank, Johnson's deal represents the kind of low-risk, moderate-reward move that championship rosters are built on — assuming he can translate whatever flashed on tape into consistent NFL production.
Caleb Johnson pulls an F for the Dolphins at linebacker, a player who has been unable to make any meaningful impact in Miami's defense. Johnson has been primarily a special teams body, and when he has seen defensive snaps, the results have been poor. His coverage ability is well below NFL standards, and he has been pushed around in the run game. The Dolphins have invested in their linebacking corps with more talented options, and Johnson is at the bottom of the depth chart. He is fighting for roster survival, and the odds are not in his favor.
The media and fan perception around Caleb Johnson sits in decidedly lukewarm territory, earning a D+ sentiment grade that reflects five years of underwhelming production and minimal visibility within the Dolphins organization. The lack of recent coverage speaks volumes—when a five-year veteran linebacker generates zero buzz in today's content-hungry sports media landscape, it signals a player who has failed to distinguish himself beyond special teams contributions. Johnson's measly career totals (zero sacks, one forced fumble) combined with his replacement-level $1.2M salary have created a narrative of a depth piece who hasn't seized opportunities to prove he belongs in a larger role. The sentiment aligns perfectly with his F-level performance grade, as fans and analysts view him as organizational depth rather than a legitimate contributor to Miami's defensive success. What would shift this narrative? Johnson would need to either make game-changing plays when given opportunities or carve out a defined role on special teams that generates positive recognition. Right now, public opinion sees him as exactly what his statistics suggest—a forgettable backup whose ceiling appears to be quality depth, with most fans likely unaware he's even on the roster.
No transactions found for this player.
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| 5 |
| 0.0 |
| 0 |
| 2022 | ![]() | 17 | 16 | 0.0 | 0 |
| 2021 | ![]() | 14 | 8 | 0.0 | 0 |
Updated Mar 19, 2026
Recent seasons are weighted more heavily in the overall performance grade.
D
2025
(50% weight)
F
2024
(30% weight)
F
2023
(20% weight)