Jackson Woodard

Career StatsD

Year	Team	GP	Tkl	Sacks	INT
Career		3	2	—	—
2025		4	2	0.0	0

Current Contract

Contract Value Index (CVI)

The Miami Dolphins struck gold with Jackson Woodard's two-year, $1.8M deal, landing an A+ CVI that represents exceptional value in today's linebacker market. At just $900K annually, Miami is paying rotational player money for a defender who has carved out a reliable role in their defensive scheme — the type of under-the-radar signing that championship teams build their depth charts around. The modest annual commitment gives the Dolphins tremendous flexibility while securing a proven contributor who can step up when injuries inevitably hit the linebacker corps. This short-term structure is perfectly calibrated risk management, allowing Miami to retain a productive piece without long-term exposure if his role diminishes or performance declines. In an era where even backup linebackers routinely command $2-3M annually, Woodard's deal stands as a masterclass in finding diamond-in-the-rough value that strengthens the roster without straining the salary cap.

Performance Analysis

Jackson Woodard grades at a D based on just three games with the Texans in 2025, giving almost nothing to evaluate. His two tackles in those appearances suggest a special teams role during a brief NFL audition. Woodard is the kind of young linebacker who needs preseason reps and practice squad development time before he can compete for a meaningful role. Houston gave him a brief look, and now he is with the Dolphins hoping for a more extended opportunity. The D grade is essentially a placeholder for a player whose NFL story has barely begun — the next training camp will determine whether Woodard has a future in the league or not.

Current Sentiment

Jackson Woodard enters the 2026 season carrying a D+ sentiment grade, and the public perception surrounding him is precisely what you'd expect for a player framed as a procedural roster addition rather than a genuine defensive investment. The coverage of his signing from Houston's practice squad was almost entirely transactional — headlines positioned him as a body filling the void left by the departing Matt Judon, with zero accompanying enthusiasm about his playmaking potential or scheme fit within Miami's defense. That narrative aligns cleanly with his on-field production, which also grades at D+; in the 2025 season, Woodard posted just 2 tackles across 4 games, the statistical footprint of a depth piece who hasn't yet carved out a meaningful role at the NFL level. The broader roster activity around him doesn't elevate his standing either — Miami's recent moves, including the signing of ILB Ronnie Harrison Jr., suggest the organization is layering in linebacker options rather than betting on Woodard as anything more than emergency insurance at $0.9M AAV. The bottom line is that sentiment here is neither hostile nor optimistic — it's indifferent, the quietest and in some ways most damning verdict a young player can receive, as analysts and fans alike view him as replacement-level depth with no clear narrative thread pointing toward a breakout.