The Miami Dolphins were thin in the secondary prior to their blockbuster trade with the Pittsburgh Steelers on June 30. The Dolphins received safety Minkah Fitzpatrick in the deal to bolster the backend of their secondary. But without Jalen Ramsey, Miami is dangerously thin at cornerback.
That’s what CBS Sports’ Josh Edwards argued when he identified cornerback as the biggest remaining need for the Dolphins on Tuesday.
“Cornerback had been an issue for Miami even prior to the Ramsey trade,” Edwards wrote. “Depth is relatively thin with Kader Kohou locked into the slot and recent comments about not waiting for Cam Smith.
“The other names on the two-deep depth chart in those three roles are Storm Duck, Ethan Bonner, Jason Marshall Jr. and Artie Burns.”
In addition to Kader Kohou, Cam Smith, Storm Duck, Ethan Bonner, Jason Marshall Jr. and Artie Burns, the Dolphins have cornerbacks Isaiah Johnson, Ethan Robinson, BJ Adams, Kendall Sheffield and Ryan Cooper Jr. on their offseason roster.
Dolphins ‘Thin’ CB Group After Jalen Ramsey Trade
Miami and Ramsey were never going to be able to co-exist again in the 2025 NFL season. So, it’s not worth discussing whether the Dolphins should have kept the former All-Pro to help the team’s cornerback depth.
That doesn’t change the fact, though, that Ramsey’s departure leaves the Dolphins in a difficult spot with their cornerback room.
Edwards called Miami “paper thin” along the offensive line and at wide receiver. But cornerback is still the team’s biggest need, according to Edwards.
For the Dolphins not to have one of the worst cornerback groups in the league this season, they need a lot more from Smith. The Dolphins drafted Smith at No. 51 overall in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft.
But through two NFL seasons, Smith has only played 153 defensive snaps.
“Cam Smith needs to come through at the end of the day,” Dolphins general manager Chris Grier told reporters in April. “He’s got to stay healthy and be on the field. He has shown some flashes, but this is a very big year.
“He knows what’s expected because we can’t hold his hand and wait for him anymore.”
If Smith fulfills his draft expectations, he will start opposite Duck. An undrafted free agent last season, Duck played 358 defensive snaps in 2024.
Kohou is expected to be Miami’s primary nickel cornerback.
Burns, Sheffield and Cooper were all acquisitions the Dolphins made in NFL free agency. Adams and Robinson are each undrafted free agent rookies.
Potential CB Free Agent Targets for Dolphins
Edwards didn’t name any cornerbacks the Dolphins could add before the 2025 regular season. But his article seemed to imply that the needs for each team may be addressed with another addition during the preseason.
If the Dolphins want to add a veteran cornerback, they could have several to choose from in the free agent market.
Veterans Stephon Gilmore, Rasul Douglas and Mike Hilton are all still free agents. Which one Miami could pursue depends on what role the team prefers to fill.
Gilmore and Douglas are outside cornerbacks while Hilton has thrived in the slot during his career.
Former Dolphins cornerback Kendall Fuller is also still a free agent if Miami prefers to bring back a familiar player. Fuller started 11 games for the Dolphins last season.
These cornerback veterans don’t appear to be in great demand. Even though the depth chart looks grim entering training camp, the Dolphins could see what they truly have a cornerback and then pursue a free agent option later in the summer if needed.
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