The Miami Dolphins‘ new regime got a good look at long-tenured offensive lineman Kion Smith during the offseason workout program, and it appears what decision-makers saw wasn’t good enough.
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Smith was released Monday, the Dolphins announced, as they also signed United Football League safety Major Burns and also waived offensive tackle Carter Warren with an injury settlement.
Smith had been with the Dolphins since 2021, spending much of that time on the team’s practice squad but breaking through for a roster spot in 2023. If not counting getting waived and being brought back onto the practice squad, Smith had the third-longest active tenure with Miami behind veteran defensive tackle Zach Sieler and right tackle Austin Jackson.
Smith was a developmental prospect under previous general manager Chris Grier going back to 2021, the final season the Dolphins were led by coach Brian Flores. Smith, who started off with the Atlanta Falcons when he went undrafted out of Fayetteville State, then survived the four years with Mike McDaniel as coach.
Under new GM Jon-Eric Sullivan and coach Jeff Hafley, he had an opportunity to make an early impression. During organized team activities and minicamp, he got extensive work at first-team right tackle with Jackson rehabbing from foot surgery.
Smith, though, at the conclusion of OTAs last week, said he had received even work at both tackle and guard. His versatility was something that could’ve made him a viable reserve option.
Smith had his struggles in that elevated offseason role, but it can be difficult to judge offensive line play during offseason workouts when players are not in pads.
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Hafley said last week Smith had shown “progress” through the offseason.
Smith played in 23 career games with two starts last season for the Dolphins. After making the roster in 2023, he tore his ACL in the 2024 preseason and then rebounded ahead of the 2025 season.
The Dolphins have wanted to start rookie first-round pick Kadyn Proctor at left guard with Patrick Paul the starting left tackle and Jackson on the right side when healthy. That also shifts Jonah Savaiinaea from left guard to right guard going into his second season. Reserve tackle options include free-agent signings Jamaree Salyer and Charlie Heck.
Burns was an undrafted safety out of LSU in 2025. He was with the Chicago Bears during the offseason and training camp last year but was waived with an injury settlement.
He joined the Houston Gamblers of the UFL in March and was named to the All-UFL team as the league’s interceptions leader, with four. He had 45 tackles and eight passes defensed in nine games with the team.
Warren, a fourth-round pick out of Pittsburgh in 2023, had appeared in 14 games with six starts for the New York Jets between 2023 and 2024. He was injured for much of the Dolphins’ OTAs and minicamp.
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