Dolphins add cornerback Brents: What to know. And Jeff Wilson, others signed
The Dolphins claimed cornerback Julius “JuJu” Brents off waivers from Indianapolis on Wednesday, taking a flyer on a former second-round pick who missed 23 of a possible 34 games due to injuries.
Brents was the only player awarded to the Dolphins off waivers on Wednesday. None of Miami’s waived players were claimed by other teams.
Indianapolis drafted Brents 44th overall out of Kansas State — where he was an All-Big 12 selection during his final season (2023).
He started eight of nine appearances for the Colts as a rookie, produced 43 tackles and made his only career interception in Week 6 against Jacksonville.
Brents, 25, sustained a torn MCL and meniscus in last year’s season opener and appeared in just two games last season.
The Colts waived him earlier this week.
The 25-year-old Indianapolis native, who starred at an area high school (Warren Central), now will return to the city as a member of the Dolphins, who visit the Colts Sept. 7 in the opener for both teams.
“He is a long, long corner, 34-inch arms and 82 5/8 inch wingspan,” NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah said after he was drafted. “He’s like a condor in the secondary. This guy [has] traits.”
Per Pro Football Reference, Brents has permitted a 110.5 passer rating when targeted in his career — 38 completions in 58 targets for 550 yards, two touchdowns and an interception.
NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein evaluated Brents this way before the draft: “Brents is a classic zone cover corner with an outstanding blend of size, length and leaping ability. He has the disruptive traits to reroute the release and the dog in him to handle his business in run support.
“He can play some press-man on a vertical plane but lacks the top-end speed and pattern matching to play in that scheme full-time. Brents needs to maintain eye discipline from zone, but has the ball skills to win a battle for the pass when he’s in position. While he’s likely to be targeted in the draft as a zone-based corner, he has the instincts and demeanor to make a move to safety if needed.”
At 6-3, he’s the tallest cornerback on Miami’s roster.
The Dolphins released cornerback Isaiah Johnson to make room on the 53-man roster.
Those moves will leave the Dolphins with six cornerbacks on their 53-man roster: Rasul Douglas, Jack Jones, Storm Duck, Jason Marshall Jr., Ethan Bonner and Brents. Cam Smith is going on the NFL’s non-football injury list.
General manager Chris Grier said the Dolphins were planning to make multiple waiver claims, suggesting Miami put in claims for players who were grabbed by teams with higher picks in the waiver process.
Teams can make claims based in inverse order of the previous season’s record. Miami was slotted 13th.
The Dolphins have claimed multiple players in this process through the years, including receiver Grant DuBose and quarterback Luke Falk.
Wilson Jr., others join practice squad
Meanwhile, the Dolphins began assembling a practice squad by adding running back Jeff Wilson Jr.; receivers Theo Wease Jr. and AJ Henning; cornerbacks BJ Adams and Cornell Armstrong; safeties Jordan Colbert and John Saunders Jr.; linebackers Derrick McLendon and Quinton Bell; offensive linemen Josh Priebe and Braedan Daniels; defensive lineman Alex Huntley; tight end Hayden Rucci; and kicker Riley Patterson. [Please check back for additional practice squad updates.]
Wilson, who was released by San Francisco this week, averaged 4.5 yards on 141 carries, with three touchdowns, over the past 2 1/2 seasons with the Dolphins, making 27 appearances and one start.
He likely will be needed for the opener, with Jaylen Wright sidelined by a leg injury. Ollie Gordon II is the only healthy running back on the Dolphins’ 53-man roster.
General manager Chris Grier said De’Von Achane, who has been nursing a calf injury, should be ready for the Sept. 7 opener at the Colts.
This story was originally published August 27, 2025 at 1:17 PM.
