NFL
By: Rick O’Donnell
With Monday’s blockbuster trade between the Miami Dolphins and Pittsburgh Steelers, the Dolphins polished up their safety position, returning Minkah Fitzpatrick, but left a large hole at cornerback, sending Jalen Ramsey up north. Miami is already thin at the position, and now they’ll need to find a day 1 starter. Who could they go after?
1. Asante Samuel Jr./ 1b. seasoned vet
Rumors have been floating around about the Miami Dolphins’ interest in Asante Samuel Jr. However, Samuel Jr. is coming off neck surgery, which could be a red flag. That’s where an insurance policy could come into play. There are plenty of veterans who could come at a cheap cost, allowing Miami to take their time with their 25-year-old CB. Someone in the realm of Stephon Gilmore who knows a thing or two about the AFC East could be a good fill-in while Samuel gets healthy. He could also serve as an emergency start in case the opposite side of the football goes down. Either he or James Bradbury could be a veteran presence with dual roles. Pairing a vet with Samuel would give them a young DB on defense and an impact player day 1.
2. Rasul Douglas
Another former AFC East veteran here with Douglas, who would be coming over from the Bills. Douglas is a physical back, and when paired with the newly (re)acquired Minkah Fitzpatrick, would be a series of run-stoppers who could lend a hand on scrambling quarterbacks such as Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson. He is just shy of 31 years old, but can be a bridge to a younger back. At the right price, Miami should sign him and potentially another back to push their penciled-in starters for their position.
3. Shaquill Griffin
Griffin might struggle in man-to-man coverage, but he’s another physical CB who can be an equalizer on defense. With a guy such as Minkah over the top, it would help should coverage break down. Another player approaching his early 30s who could have enough football left in him to be a bridge starter for the Dolphins.
4. Kendall Fuller
Miami may have cut Fuller due to cap and injury, but there’s no shame in picking a guy back up with a little more room in the cap. He’ll already know the playbook, and if they can pair him with another pickup this offseason, he’d probably be a cheap option. More than likely, Miami will make a move to obtain another CB and either trade for or sign a tight end. Unless they make a big swing, chances are they won’t need all the cap space they just picked up to fill more needs.
No matter who they pick up, the Miami Dolphins can’t sit idly and wait for a corner back to fall into their lap. With a bit more in cap space, Chris Grier needs to have his phone glued to his hand and fix the holes Miami still has.
