Jason Marshall Jr. Set for Major Role After Dolphins Release Mike Hilton

The first set of Miami Dolphins cuts have begun, with a major surprise already.

When the Miami Dolphins signed veteran corner Mike Hilton this offseason, the plan seemed straightforward: Hilton’s experience and savvy in the slot would stabilize the secondary while younger players developed. Hilton opened training camp as the first-team nickel, but his role gradually diminished. The emergence of rookie Jason Marshall Jr. ultimately tipped the balance, with Miami releasing Hilton ahead of Week One.

Now, Marshall steps into a massive opportunity and he has the trust of both his coaches and teammates.

Head coach Mike McDaniel praised Marshall’s comfort level at a position that demands more than most realize.

“It definitely didn’t look too big for him,” McDaniel said. “It’s impressive because it’s a more challenging position. You’re essentially a DB/linebacker when you’re playing that position. Having Mike Hilton here has helped him in that process. I’ve been very impressed with how he’s looked comfortable, and he’s showed off some of his physicality in that position. He’s been progressing nicely in a way we needed him to.”

Defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver pointed to Marshall’s frame and versatility as key reasons the rookie has already carved out a role.

“You look at him sometimes and think, ‘Oh man, this guy could be a linebacker, but he has the movement skills of a DB,’” Weaver said. “Jason’s skill set gives you an opportunity to not only play him outside but inside as well. Then his physicality, we weren’t really sure about until we put him in a game and saw him make that TFL on the nickel pressure. I was like, ‘OK, it’s in there.’ Now let’s see if he continues to grow.”

That versatility has also caught the attention of star safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, who knows firsthand how demanding nickel corner can be.

“Honestly, what stood out the most was that was his first time doing it, and he played it at such a high level,” Fitzpatrick said. “Nickel is probably one of the hardest spots to play on the field. You have to tackle, you have to cover, you have to communicate. You could be in half one play, blitzing the next. For a young guy who never played it before to go in, get two tackles for loss, play great in coverage, make all the right communications, that was really impressive. Even better, he made mistakes in practice, corrected them, and then played lights out in the game.”

The consensus is clear: Marshall has already earned the respect of his coaches and teammates by showing physicality, adaptability, and poise beyond his years. For the Dolphins, Hilton’s release wasn’t simply about cutting a veteran. It was a statement of confidence in their rookie.

With Week One looming, Jason Marshall Jr. isn’t just filling a role. He is redefining it, turning what was supposed to be a developmental year into a chance to become a core piece of Miami’s secondary from day one.