With Ramsey likely out the door, Dolphins coaches see opportunity for development at corner
Jalen Ramsey could go into the Pro Football Hall of Fame one day.
For the past eight years, the All-Pro cornerback has been one of the best at his position. He’s a defensive blanket. A guy who coaches don’t necessarily need to worry about on the field because he can essentially do everything — cover, create turnovers and even rush the passer.
Ramsey, however, is on his way out after he and the Miami Dolphins mutually agreed to seek a trade in mid-April. After that happens, the Dolphins will have two new starters at cornerback following the release of Kendall Fuller in early 2025. And while many fans lament the situation that the Dolphins’ outside cornerback position currently is in, coaches not only wished Ramsey well but see a huge opportunity for young players to step up.
“In this game, things change by the day,” Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver said Wednesday afternoon. “I have a tremendous amount of respect of Ramsey. He played very good ball for us but relationships are hard. Both sides have mutually chosen to go the other way. I respect that and wish him nothing but the best.”
Added Weaver: “I’m not getting any sympathy cards from anybody. It’s my job — and our job collectively as a staff — to find a way to make these pieces work. What I know is every player that is here is trying to get better and has bought in.”
As of Wednesday afternoon, the cornerback room includes two guys that started at least three games last season in Storm Duck and Kader Kohou, the latter of whom primarily plays in the slot. A handful of guys — Kendall Sheffield Jr., Ethan Bonner, Cam Smith and Artie Burns — appeared in four or more games. Two more – Isaiah Johnson and Jason Maitre — spent most of the 2024 season on various practice squads while the Dolphins drafted Jason Marshall Jr. in the fifth round.
The bottom line: the Dolphins’ starting cornerback position is up for grabs.
“Look at the guys we got — what a great opportunity to step up because [Ramsey] was a starter that no longer going to be here,” Dolphins cornerback coach Mathieu Araujo said Wednesday afternoon. “So great. Here’s an opportunity to go play ball. This is what every NFL player wants — opportunity — and here’s opportunity. We’re focused on their development, we’re focused on building that culture, we’re focused on the standard upholding every single day.”
When it comes to development, all eyes will be on Smith. The Dolphins invested a second-round pick in 2023, and the results have been rather lackluster. He appeared in just six games in 2024 due to injury and has amassed just 18 total tackles. Quarterbacks have also completed 78.3% of their passes for 193 yards when targeting him.
“Cam Smith needs to come through at the end of the day,” general manager Chris Grier said in mid-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.”
Early reports suggest that Smith has made strides in the offseason.
“This offseason has been awesome for him,” Araujo said, calling Smith “excited.” When asked if he’s gotten physically better, Araujo confirmed. “He’s getting to work on it and you see vast improvements because of that. He’s doing awesome, not putting any expectation or anything on him right now. Our focus is development — on and off the field — schematically, technically in the weight room and he’s doing a great job showing all day.”
Regardless of how Weaver and Araujo publicly discuss the outside cornerback position, the room still needs improvement. That’s likely why the Dolphins have recently reached out to veterans Rasul Douglas and Asante Samuel Jr., two of the best remaining free agent corners. Since 2022, Douglas, 29, has started nearly every game and snagged nine interceptions in that span. Although the 25-year-old has six picks and started 47 games since 2021, Samuel has a lingering shoulder injury that cost him the majority of last season.
The Dolphins cannot single-handedly replace Ramsey. It will take a collective effort from every cornerback on the roster to hide what’s lost when the seven-time Pro Bowler doesn’t take the field. Adding another veteran presence could certainly help.
This story was originally published May 21, 2025 at 2:48 PM.
