The Miami Dolphins could be desperate to add cornerback depth before the start of the 2025 NFL regular season. So desperate, in fact, that Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox still sees Asante Samuel Jr. as a potential target despite his father’s highly critical comments of the Dolphins organization.
Knox named the Dolphins a logical landing spot for Samuel on Saturday.
“Taking a flier on Samuel might make even more sense for Miami than adding Douglas since the Dolphins have just $2.3 million in cap space available,” Knox wrote. “Of course, Samuel may not view Miami as a strong fit after his father publicly ripped the Dolphins organization.”
Asante Samuel Sr. ripped the Dolphins on an episode of Say What Needs to Be Said after Miami traded cornerback Jalen Ramsey to the Pittsburgh Steelers on June 30.
“The Dolphins had no reason to trade Jalen Ramsey other than they’re sensitive,” Samuel Sr. said. “There’s no leadership in the Dolphins organization. Mike McDaniel is a pushover. Chris Grier, the general manager, he has no backbone.
“These guys over here, the Miami Dolphins, they are running this team like a little league team. No one can stand up to the players, they are terrified of their own players, and they have no control over their players.”
Could the Dolphins Really Add Asante Samuel Jr.?
It should go without saying, but it’s worth repeating that we all don’t share the exact same opinions as our parents. Just because Samuel Sr. sees the Dolphins a certain way doesn’t mean Samuel Jr. agrees.
Having said that, it still could be embarrassing for the Dolphins to add a cornerback whose family was so critical of the head coach and general manager.
The Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson reported on July 7 that the Dolphins had been checking in on Samuel Jr. this offseason prior to his father’s comments. Jackson, though, suggested that could stop after the retired cornerback’s podcast appearance.
But given Miami’s cornerback depth chart, it’s really not a stretch to argue the Dolphins are a potential landing spot for Samuel Jr. Miami could be very desperate to add any kind of cornerback depth this summer.
Samuel Jr. only played four games before landing on injured reserve last season. He underwent offseason neck surgery, which is why he remains unsigned.
Samuel Sr. spent his 11-year NFL career with the New England Patriots, Philadelphia Eagles and Atlanta Falcons. He won a pair of Super Bowls, led the NFL in interceptions twice and earned a first-team All-Pro nomination in 2007.
Veteran Rasul Douglas Another CB Target for Dolphins?
If there was any good news from Knox, who clearly sees the Dolphins still possibly pursuing Samuel despite his father’s comments, there are other veteran cornerbacks on the free agent market.
Knox also named the Dolphins a logical landing spot for cornerback Rasul Douglas.
“Miami would make a ton of sense, if Douglas is willing to reconsider the team’s offer,” Knox wrote. “The Dolphins are obviously interested, and after trading Jalen Ramsey to the Steelers, they have a greater need for help at cornerback.”
If Samuel is healthy, he has more upside. That makes him a more intriguing target.
But given the potential bad publicity for the Dolphins if they sign Samuel, pursuing Douglas now makes more sense.
Douglas is older than Samuel but has more NFL experience. Last season, Douglas posted 58 combined tackles with five pass defenses in 15 games for the Buffalo Bills.
With his most recent contract, Douglas signed a three-year, $21 million deal with the Green Bay Packers in 2022. Still without a team and turning 30 in August, Douglas may have to settle for a one-year deal this summer.
That would be ideal for the Dolphins. Miami has a lot of questions at cornerback, but they do have young potential at the position in Storm Duck and Cam Smith.
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