Dolphins GM Chris Grier expresses faith in cornerbacks, offensive line
The Miami Dolphins have two areas that are the most concerning: cornerbacks and offensive line.
Still, Chris Grier has faith in both position groups.
“We feel good about the room,” the Dolphins general manager said of the cornerbacks Wednesday, emphasizing that the young players “have opportunities now to compete.” On the offensive line, Grier admitted to being “a little light there,” however, “we like some of the guys.”
Grier did add two players who he believes will help improve both groups. At cornerback, the Dolphins signed Rasul Douglas. The eight-year veteran has played for three team prior to coming to Miami, racking up 80 starts and 19 interceptions along the way.
“Rasul is a consummate professional,” Grier said, calling the cornerback “in great shape.” When asked if he would be ready for the season opener vs. the Indianapolis Colts, Grier believed Douglas could potentially play. “We’ll see. He’ll be out there today so we’ll see how he looks. He’s got some time. He’s got to get used to the South Florida heat, but he’s been in Dallas training so excited for him. He’s been a player that’s very smart, instinctive, tough, competitive, so I’m really happy to add him to the group.”
To improve offensive line depth, Grier brought in tackle Kendall Lamm, whom the Philadelphia Eagles waived Tuesday. Lamm spent the past three seasons with the Dolphins before he signed with the Eagles in late March. The former Appalachian State standout has started 44 games, 16 with the Dolphins, during his 10-year career.
“Kendall has been a good player for us in the role he serves,” Grier said of the offensive lineman. Although Lamm missed time in 2024 with a back injury, Grier wasn’t necessarily worried that it would affect him this season. “He’ll go through his physical this morning, but I know in Philadelphia he practiced every day and did everything and talking to him last night, he was in good spirits, said he felt good. So I just think it’s one of those right now he’s healthy and feels good, so we don’t really have a concern right now.”
The cornerback position became a week area the minute the Dolphins traded three-time All-Pro Jalen Ramsey to Pittsburgh. Subsequent season-ending injuries hit Artie Burns, who was expected to provide depth, and Kader Kohou, a nickel corner who was probably returning corner. The Dolphins tried several combinations of players throughout training camp to land on a group that included Jack Jones, Cam Smith, Ethan Bonner, Storm Duck, Jason Marshall Jr. and Isaiah Johnson. Of the six, only Jones has started more than three games.
“We have a bunch of guys who are chomping at the bit to both make this team and then go out there and show what they are made of,” Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver said Aug. 19.
As far as offensive line goes, the starting unit — Patrick Paul, Jonah Savaiinaea, Aaron Brewer, James Daniels and Austin Jackson – could be special. Health, however, is always a concern: Daniels just got 100% cleared from a torn Achilles that he sustained in 2024 and Jackson, who missed the second half of last season with a knee injury, hasn’t practiced since early August after being stepped on though he should be ready to go by Week 1.
“I’ve seen pass pro and in the run game, a nice evolution thus far in camp relative to where we’ve been every year. So far so good with that,” McDaniel said. “But the biggest part that I think will really last the test of the season is the collective culture of the O-line room and really between ‘Brew’, Austin Jackson, and you’re talking about guys ascending like Patrick and then you have everything that Liam [Eichenberg] brings.”
Whether these decisions will bring success won’t be known until the end of the season. After his moves along the offensive line were questioned in 2024, Grier joked that the media was “more worried about it than we are,” a statement that he likely ended up regretting. Hopefully, that won’t be the case in 2025.
