Derrick Mclendon

Current Contract

Contract Value Index (CVI)

Derrick McLendon's contract earns a C Contract Value Index, with the AAV sitting where the comparable-tier deals tend to settle. At $1.935M annually on a one-year deal, this is precisely the kind of depth-piece salary you'd expect for a second-year linebacker still in the proving-grounds phase of his career. McLendon's 2025 season: 1 game tells the story—minimal opportunities and no statistical footprint to point to as a justification for expanded role or salary acceleration. The C grade reflects the fundamental tension: the contract itself is fair market value for a 25-year-old reserve linebacker, but his below-average performance grade (C-) and the D sentiment trailing him suggest Miami is banking on developmental upside rather than immediate production. Recent roster moves by the Dolphins—adding depth across the secondary, offensive line, and skill positions—indicate an evaluation-phase approach rather than a desperate lean on unproven young defenders. Unless McLendon can translate his second year into meaningful snaps and measurable impact, this remains a low-leverage, low-ceiling deal that functions more as organizational placeholder than as a building block.

Contracts in the Same Value Band

Other same-position deals the Contract Value Index also places in the C band — a quick read on where Derrick's contract sits relative to comparable money.

Performance Analysis

Among linebackers on the Miami Dolphins, Derrick McLendon's output grades to a C- performance level. The second-year player is operating as a depth piece and special teams contributor rather than a meaningful factor in Miami's defensive rotation, a reality underscored by his 2025 season: 1 games appearance. With minimal snap accumulation in his first year, McLendon has failed to generate the kind of statistical production or on-field impact that would justify expanded role responsibility, leaving him squarely in replacement-level territory. His $1.9M annual salary reflects his current standing — not a wasted asset, but precisely the type of low-cost insurance policy that defensive coordinators maintain at the second and third linebacker tiers. The Dolphins' recent linebacker activity, including signings of Jacob Rodriguez and Trey Moore at the ILB/EDGE positions, suggests the organization is not banking on McLendon as a core solution, instead treating him as an emergency option if injuries strike. Without a documented performance breakthrough or sudden accumulation of meaningful snaps heading into 2026, McLendon remains destined for special teams duty and garbage-time reps—the kind of anonymous depth linebacker that Miami hopes never to depend on but always keeps on the roster.

How Derrick Compares at the Position

Derrick Mclendon ranks 193rd of 338 graded linebackers by performance. That slots Derrick between Garmon Randolph (C-) just ahead and Jonah Elliss (C-) just behind.

Current Sentiment

Derrick McLendon enters 2026 as one of the NFL's most anonymous linebackers, carrying a D-grade sentiment that reflects his minimal impact during his rookie season with Miami. At just $1.9M annually, McLendon represents the type of replacement-level depth piece that generates zero buzz in national media circles, with beat writers barely mentioning his name beyond roster transactions. His first year produced no highlight-reel moments or meaningful statistical contributions that would elevate his standing among fans or analysts tracking the Dolphins' defensive evolution. The lack of any documented performance breakthroughs or significant snap counts has left McLendon in football purgatory — not bad enough to cut, not good enough to trust in meaningful situations. Unless he can dramatically outperform expectations in Year 2, McLendon appears destined to remain a special teams contributor and emergency depth option rather than a legitimate factor in Miami's linebacker rotation.