The Jacksonville Jaguars have a pretty talented linebacker corps despite the fact that they lost Devin Lloyd in free agency. You could even make the case that it's their biggest strength on the defensive side of the ball.
Sure, losing Lloyd stings, but fourth-year pro Ventrell Miller appears to be a capable replacement. Sophomore Brandon Combs is also in the mix, and Foyesade Oluokun is still around. The bottom half of the Jacksonville linebacker depth chart also looks pretty good. Nevertheless, they're being urged to keep adding reinforcements just before the regular season.
The Jaguars are being urged to trade for Tyrel Dodson to bolster the linebacker corps
Moe Moton of Bleacher Report drew up a list of one trade each NFL team should make just before the regular season. He suggests the Jaguars send a 2027 late-round pick to the Miami Dolphins in exchange for Tyrel Dodson, arguing that he's a solid starter.
"The Jaguars can attempt to upgrade the linebacker position, or at least bring in a proven player to compete against Ventrell Miller for a starting spot to solidify their front seven," Moton wrote. "After three seasons in a backup role, Dodson has been a productive starter with the Buffalo Bills, Seattle Seahawks, and Miami Dolphins. Last season, he recorded 129 tackles (10 for loss), five sacks, three pass breakups, and an interception."
Like the Jags, Miami has a deep linebacker corps after selecting Jacob Rodriguez, Trey Moore and Kyle Louis. With Jordyn Brooks also in the mix, Dodson could be the victim of the numbers game come cutdown day.
The Phins gave Dodson a two-year deal worth $6.25 million in 2025, and he's set to make $2.355 million next season. All things considered, that's not a bad price to help for linebacker help. The issue is that Jacksonville isn't currently in need of reinforcements at the position.
There's no doubt that Tyrel Dodson's ability to bring the heat could come in handy, but the Jags already have a pair of linebackers with a similar skill set in Dennis Gardeck and sophomore Jalen McLeod. Heck, trading for Dodson would hinder McLeod's development.
The Jaguars can easily pass on Tyrel Dodson
It doesn't make sense to trade for Dodson to push Ventrell Miller either because the coaching staff is high on Branson Combs, an undrafted free agent in 2025 who's made significant improvement from last year. Miller is trending toward starting next to Foyesade Oluokun come Week 1, but if he were to falter, and there are currently no signs that he will, Combs could be a viable option to step in.
The last argument to trade for Dodson to bolster the depth at linebacker also falls under the slightest scrutiny. Jacksonville has sophomore Jack Kizer, rookie Parker Hughes, and veteran Yasir Abdullah in the fold. Heck, one of them may not make the initial 53-man roster because of how stacked the Jags are at the position. This is a long-winded way to say that they have no use for Dodson.
It's also worth noting that Jacksonville has extra compensatory selections in Rounds 4, 5, and 6 in 2027, so they aren't precisely in need of additional assets.
However you look at it, trading for Tyrel Dodson doesn't truly help the Jaguars despite the fact that he's a viable starter. Maybe if injuries truly depleted their linebacker unit, then the move could deserve consideration, but even they, they seemingly have enough depth.
Grade: D
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