The future could be now for the Dolphins and Cam Smith after Jalen Ramsey’s injury
When Cam Smith arrived at South Carolina in 2019, he knew there might be a waiting period for him to get a starting role on defense. He joined a team that had future pros Jaycee Horn and Israel Mukuamu already on the roster. Smith didn’t become a full-time starter until the 2021 season.
And when the Dolphins made Smith their top selection in the 2023 NFL Draft, picking him in the second round at No. 51 overall, he appeared destined for a similar start to his career, learning from established vets Jalen Ramsey and Xavien Howard, as well as up-and-comer Kader Kohou.
Ramsey’s meniscus surgery, one that could sideline him until December, has seemingly sped up Smith’s timeline. He finds himself increasingly closer to a starting role in his first season in the NFL. Ramsey’s injury hasn’t changed Smith’s personal outlook, though.
“Right from the jump, I was already planning on playing,” he said after Sunday’s practice, “or keeping in my head that I was going to be on the field regardless of any injury or anything that happened. But now, just kind of seeing it here, closer than it really was supposed to be, it’s an opportunity for a lot more folks to succeed.”
While Smith lined up in multiple spots during his All-SEC career, he said that he has only played as an outside corner since joining the Dolphins, which has been the team’s plan for him. Kohou can play on the outside when Miami is in base packages with two cornerbacks. But he’s also the team’s projected slot corner, which means the Dolphins need a reliable option on the outside when they use three or more corners.
That puts Smith, 6-1 and 180 pounds, firmly in the competition to replace Ramsey, along with players such as 2020 first-round pick Noah Igbinoghene and new addition Eli Apple.
Smith has already noticed the difference between the NFL and college, noting the complexity of the Dolphins’ offense — “probably two or three other offenses in the league that run the same type of thing” — to the precision of wide receivers, who he said make every route look the same out of their stance.
He’s had learning experiences, including being in coverage on a deep touchdown pass to wide receiver Braxton Berrios during 11-on-11 drills. But he’s also provided promising moments, with several pass breakups and tight coverage.
“I’ve been happy with his daily investment,” Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel said, “and how he really has seen the pros around him and taken some notes and is learning lessons every day. Sometimes those are good lessons, sometimes those are bad.”
Like his time at South Carolina, he’s relied on his older position mates. After every rep, he said he goes to a player like Ramsey or Howard, who gives him advice and “put their little vet touch on it.”
Eye discipline and technique has been a point of emphasis with cornerbacks coach/pass game specialist Sam Madison. Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio’s scheme is one that allows its defensive backs to see the quarterback but a player is susceptible to blown coverages if he is too hasty with his movements.
“[I’m] just getting out of old habits, stopping my feet at the top of routes,” Smith said. “A lot of receivers can get in and out of breaks quicker, so it’s not like I can stop my feet completely and then break again. I have to make sure I keep my feet steady and stuff like that.”
And film study has been important for Smith to learn the nuances of NFL offenses. He said he watches film and takes copious notes; one notebook is full of tips from organized team activities in the spring. And he has another for training camp, where he continues to add cues. He said the focus for him is paying attention to the various formations and the route combinations that can come from them.
Smith said he wants to mirror the start of his NFL career to his college days, where he made an imprint on special teams and gained the trust of his coaches. But if he continues to make progress during the summer, he could quickly establish himself as the top candidate to replace Ramsey on defense.
“I think he’s really finding his stride now, getting into training camp,” wide receiver Jaylen Waddle said, “starting to get more familiar with the calls and being in his stance and kind of honing in on trusting what he sees. So, Cam’s been great. He’s giving us great looks out there. I think he’s going to be a great player for a long time in this league.”
This story was originally published July 31, 2023 at 9:03 AM.
