MIAMI GARDENS — The Dolphins' David Long is the best linebacker in the NFL against the run.

"I've seen a lot of football," said Long, who is graded tops in the entire league by Pro Football Focus, at an incredible 93.1. "It's just instincts and reading the triangle. If you read your keys and stay disciplined, there are a lot of plays to be made."

There has been so much attention paid this season, understandably, to stars like Tua Tagovailoa, Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, Christian Wilkins, Jalen Ramsey and Jevon Holland, that Long's performance has been entirely overlooked.

Long, in the first year of a two-year contract, is Miami's most underrated player.

"I think Long is a tremendous linebacker," Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken said this week, noting he is as an excellent blitzer.

Ravens says Dolphins LB David Long is 'tremendous'

Long, 27, is only 5-11, 227 pounds.

But Long is fast and instinctive and decisive and he plays with intensity and passion.

"Incrementally he’s gotten a little bit better each week in the small details," Dolphins defensive coordinator Vic Fangio said this week.

Long leads the Dolphins with 92 tackles, adding eight tackles for loss and six quarterback hits. His contributions have been increasingly vital as linebacker Jerome Baker will miss his fourth straight game on Sunday with a knee injury.

"I think our room is full of dawgs," Long said. "On this defense, you have to be aware, you have to be smart, you have to be aggressive. We play two high safeties so to play the run you have to be a certain type of player. The dude beside you has to cover you."

Long played the first four years of his career with the Titans.

He faced Baltimore and Lamar Jackson in 2020 and also in the playoffs in 2019 and 2020, going 1-2 with Tennessee.

In those three games, Jackson had two passing touchdowns, four interceptions and one rushing touchdown. He was also sacked 10 times.

"Don't be scared," Long said. "I think a lot of people mess up when they don't hesitate. Just play ball. Be confident in the people around you."

The Dolphins' defense has been ranked No. 1 in the NFL in Weeks 5-16 in total defense, scoring defense, sacks and quarterback hits.

"When you see 11 guys confident in knowing their keys, man, it's easy to be who you're supposed to be on defense," Long said. "This defense has shown that, and I know that we've got the chance to continue to do it."

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Joe Schad is a journalist at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at jschad@pbpost.com and follow him on social media platforms @schadjoe. Sign up for Joe's free weekly Dolphins Pulse Newsletter. Help support our work by subscribing.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Miami Dolphins linebacker David Long is one of NFL's top run stoppers