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ATLANTA, GEORGIA – OCTOBER 26: Tyrel Dodson #25 of the Miami Dolphins celebrates after recovering a fumble by Atlanta Falcons during the third quarter in the game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on October 26, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
Due to the substantial, across-the-board roster deficiencies that partially stemmed from general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan’s purge of the roster’s veterans earlier this offseason, the Miami Dolphins had the rare luxury of being able to truly pick the best player available during last month’s draft, with the team having dire needs throughout the depth chart.
Yet one of perhaps the more surprising focuses of the draft was the selection of two off-the-ball linebackers, Jacob Rodriguez and Kyle Louis, in the first four rounds of the draft.
The team already has All-Pro inside linebacker Jordyn Brooks, and one would imagine that Rodriguez, having been picked early on in the second round, would be the favorite to lineup next to him.
Given that new head coach Jeff Hafley rarely had greater than two inside linebackers on the field in any given snap on more than 33% of snaps per game, it would appear that this could spell trouble for other members of the position group.
Specifically, Brooks’ former fellow starter Tyrel Dodson, who The Palm Beach Post’s Joe Schad believe could be on the chopping block after June 1.
Dolphins May Look to Make Changes in Linebacker Room
“The Dolphins could cut Dodson after June 1 and roll with rookie Jacob Rodriguez as an immediate starter, alongside Jordyn Brooks.” Schad wrote on Monday.
Although Schad concedes that the inverse could happen and that the team decides to trade Brooks and keep Dodson, he believes that given the team’s fondness for him and Sullivan having named him as one of the franchise’s five key players, this would appear to be unlikely.
“Miami could start Rodriguez alongside Dodson, trading Brooks. But the Dolphins have made it clear their strong preference and intention is to extend Brooks as a core team leader.” Schad continued.
Schad also notes that the addition of Kyle Louis may not necessarily act as direct linebacker competition considering his ability to play safety – one of the Dolphins’ weakest roster areas post-draft.
Will the Dolphins Cut Tyrel Dodson?
Dodson is set to count for just shy of $3.7 million against the cap in 2026, almost $3 million of which can be saved by moving on from the eighth year pro.
The 27-year old started off his NFL career in Buffalo as a third round pick out of Texas A&M in 2019, gradually starting more and more games, hitting a high of 10 in 2023 before signing a free agent deal with the Seattle Seahawks in March 2024.
Dodson was abruptly released by the Seahawks mid-way through his first season with the organization after starting the first nine games of the season, and was picked up by Miami where he quickly became the starting inside linebacker and re-signed in 2025 on a two year deal worth $8.25 million.
Dodson started all 16 games in 2025 and posted a mediocre grade of 55.3 according to Pro Football Focus, whilst Miami as a whole posted the league’s 27th ranked total rushing defense.
$3 million is not a vast amount of cap space to open up for any franchise post free agency, but the Dolphins are currently working in ultra-thin margins, having less than $1.9 million in breathing room, worst in the league.
He may be cut or kept in the short term, but it would appear that Dodson’s remaining time in Miami will likely be short-lived.
Daniel Arwas Daniel Arwas is a sports writer who covers the NFL for Heavy.com. Daniel began his career in sports writing in 2022 and has covered the NFL and college football for Gridiron Heroics and The Hammer. More about Daniel Arwas