Bucs Potential Free Agent Goal: LB Tyrel Dodson | Pewter Report

The Bucs ought to be lively in free company, at the very least with respect to the defensive aspect of the ball. Final yr’s struggles confirmed that Tampa Bay might use an infusion of expertise to enhance each the highest and backside of their depth charts. Dolphins linebacker Tyrel Dodson could possibly be among the many linebackers the Bucs contemplate signing in free company.

A lot of dialog will encompass the choices on the prime of the market as followers will wish to usher in established starters. But a few of Bucs common supervisor Jason Licht’s finest strikes have been beneath the radar like Shaq Barrett. Whereas there can be loads of ink spilled on prime linebackers, comparable to Kansas Metropolis’s Nick Bolton, Philadelphia’s Zack Baun and Seattle’s Ernest Jones, there’s a stronger chance Licht will make strategic strikes on the margins to go with the present roster reasonably than import costly expertise that type foundational items.

One such choices could possibly be Dodson, who spent his first 4 years with Buffalo earlier than being signed by Seattle in 2024 after which was acquired by Miami in the course of the season after he was waived.

Tyrel Dodson’s NFL Historical past

Tyrel Dodson, 26, started his profession with the Payments after three strong seasons at Texas A&M. Regardless of strong pre-draft measurables Dodson went undrafted.

He spent his first season on Buffalo’s apply squad. He performed a backup position from 2020-2022 earlier than breaking out in 2023 after taking on as a starter in Week 8. He completed that season with 74 tackles, together with eight for a loss, 2.5 sacks, one fumble restoration and two passes defensed. He earned an 88.4 protection grade from Professional Soccer Focus that season.

The next offseason Dodson signed a one-year, $4,260,000 contract with the Seahawks. Dodson would play the primary half of the season as a starter with Seattle. His general play was strong, and he continued to be a plus in protection. However Dodson was seen as part of a bigger challenge structurally with Seattle’s run protection. The group allowed 139 dashing yards per sport over that point interval and Dodson was launched as one among a number of strikes Seattle made to appropriate the difficulty.

The Dolphins claimed him, and he completed his season with Miami once more struggling as a run defender however excelling in zone protection. For the season he registered 107 tackles, 5 tackles for loss, two sacks, six passes damaged up, three interceptions and one pressured fumble between Seattle and Miami.

Tyrel Dodson’s Match With Bucs

Dolphins LB Tyrel Dodson – Photograph by: USA Right this moment

There are two particular areas of Tyrel Dodson’s sport that intrigue me as they relate to the Bucs. The primary is his potential as a second-level move rusher and his effectiveness in attending to the quarterback. Final yr he created 12 pressures on 58 rushes, and for his profession, these numbers are 32 pressures on 135 rushes. That stress price is 20.7% final yr and 23.7% for his profession.

For comparability, regardless of all of his faults, Devin White was extraordinarily efficient at attending to the quarterback throughout his time in Tampa Bay. His profession stress price with the Bucs was 22.1%.

Dodson has strong pace and twitch to work downhill, and bends his rush path to seek out pure lanes whereas staying on target to get to the quarterback. He can mug up into the “A” hole or work from a layered place as a second-wave rusher. This can be a important element to the success of a Todd Bowles protection. It additionally permits Bowles to redeploy Lavonte David as extra of a learn and react linebacker.

Bowles blitzed David as a move rusher 148 instances final yr. That was simply probably the most David had rushed since his rookie season. Bowles did that as a result of Ok.J. Britt lacked the burst and really feel for blitzing crucial for the position and David was a greater choice. If signed, Dodson would assist re-allocate David’s abilities into a greater place.

Dodson has additionally been a great protection ‘backer the previous two seasons. Per NFL Professional, since 2023, Dodson has 658 protection snaps. He has been focused 67 instances, permitting 48 catches for 435 yards, permitting a 71.6% catch price. That catch price allowed was 8.3% beneath anticipated and his 0.66 yards per protection snap is an especially spectacular quantity, as is the 72.0 QB ranking allowed when focused in 2024.

If Bucs wish to enhance protection on the LB place w/o enjoying on the prime of the FA market, one identify I would love for them to pursue is Tyrel Dodson. Good really feel for route improvement. Passes assignments nicely. Can discover the ball. pic.twitter.com/QdbOZMjqS4

Dolphins LB Tyrel Dodson – Photograph by: USA Right this moment

When trying on the complete of what ailed the Bucs protection final yr two issues stood out because it associated to the linebacker place. One the dearth of a real downhill move rusher that freed David to learn out the offense and let his soccer IQ actually shine. The second was fluid motion in house and a really feel for zone protection. Whereas not an entire participant, Dodson would enhance each areas.

However he isn’t with out faults. The struggles in run protection are actual. He doesn’t diagnose, react and set off into gaps as shortly as one would really like. He struggles to get off of blocks when offensive linemen climb to the second stage. To be sincere, his efforts as a run defender will not be that dissimilar to White. For his profession he has a 13.02% cease price and a 12.13% missed sort out price. Examine that to the previous Bucs first-rounder’s 13.29% cease price and 13.15% missed sort out price and he’s as questionable towards the run as White was.

And let’s be sincere. If White was a greater protection participant there’s an opportunity he nonetheless can be in Tampa Bay. The group would have continued to just accept an inconsistent and barely beneath common run defender for a high-level move rusher who was a price add in protection. Dodson gives that sort of upside. And he’ll present it at a reduction – and sure with out White’s ego, which was problematic on the finish of his Bucs tenure.

I’ve Dodson projected for a $4-4.5 million APY (common per yr) on his subsequent contract. That’s an affordable threat for a big potential improve in play over final yr’s efficiency by the Bucs’ linebacking group, particularly in protection. And one I’m advocating for.