One returning Miami Dolphins starter is officially set for a dogfight this summer after the team’s 2026 NFL Draft strategy
One of the Miami Dolphins’ productive returning starters from last season is going to have his hands full keeping a starting job this summer after the 2026 NFL Draft.
The Miami Dolphins did well for themselves in the 2026 NFL Draft to follow through on their expressed intent. The team said they wanted to get physical in the trenches and took a pair of bruising linemen. Miami said they wanted to build up the supporting cast around their quarterback and promptly spent five picks on pass catchers.
But when you assess the full scope of Miami’s class, competition is the name of the game. And one returning (and productive) starter from the 2025 season should consider himself “on notice” after Miami poured into his position room. Linebacker Tyrel Dodson is going to face a lot of competition to stay in a starting role this offseason.
Miami Dolphins’ draft class puts veteran LB Tyrel Dodson on notice for starting gig
Fellow linebacker Jordyn Brooks was named First-Team All-Pro in 2025 after leading the league in tackles. Dodson finished second on the team in both solo tackles and tackles for loss. But the influence of Hafley’s vision for the defense clearly fueled a thirst for different skill sets at off-ball linebacker.
Miami, with a series of needs, drafted Texas Tech star Jacob Rodriguez in the top-50. And then, they came back and drafted Pitt linebacker Kyle Louis in the fourth round.
The motivation for both picks can be tied back to a quote from Hafley at the NFL Combine this past year. There, he talked about the first thing he assesses in an off-ball linebacker being how he works in space. Both Rodriguez and Louis thrive in space. This isn’t to say that Dodson hasn’t had his productive moments in coverage, either. The Miami Dolphins enjoyed several big plays on the ball from Dodson down the stretch of 2024 after adding him mid-season by waivers.
Yet Dodson is a different style linebacker. He’s a defender capable of physically challenging blocks and plugging gaps aggressively. There’s a thumping nature to his run support that would likely be pointed to as his best strength. So can Dodson, as an NFL veteran, stave off the new rookies for playing time?
That will, ultimately, be up to Dodson this summer. His NFL experience certainly gives him an edge. But the message from the front office doesn’t leave much room for mis-interpretation. This spot is essential to success in the eyes of the leadership — may the best man win the job.
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