The Miami Dolphins are at a crossroads with their secondary after they parted ways with All-Pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey. No trade is imminent but they’ve already started looking for replacements for Ramsey’s void. One name that’s emerged as a possible solution? Free-agent cornerback Rasul Douglas.
Who Is Rasul Douglas?
Rasul Douglas isn’t a household name for most NFL fans but his journey through the league is one of grit and grind. A 3rd round pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, Douglas spent most of his early career bouncing around between teams like the Carolina Panthers, Las Vegas Raiders, Houston Texans and Arizona Cardinals. At times he was even on practice squads fighting for a chance to prove himself.
His big break came when the Green Bay Packers signed him off the Cardinals’ practice squad. Over two seasons (2022-23), Douglas shined in Green Bay, 9 interceptions and opponents under 62% completion rate in 33 starts. He earned a spot with the Buffalo Bills in 2024 and continued to show his playmaking ability, albeit with some inconsistency.
Douglas’ 2024 Ups and Downs
Douglas had some bright moments with the Bills, but 2024 was not his year. According to Pro Football Reference, he allowed 518 receiving yards and 5 touchdowns in 15 starts. Opposing QBs had a 122.0 passer rating when targeting him (career worst).
Much of this can be attributed to Douglas’ aggressive play. He’s a “gambler” in coverage and will take risks to intercept passes, which sometimes leaves him vulnerable to big plays. This high risk high reward approach has been his career long and he’s both a playmaker and a liability at times.
Why Douglas fits in Miami
Despite his struggles last year, Douglas could be an interesting option for the Dolphins. With Ramsey on his way out, the cornerback room is currently Kader Kohou, Storm Duck, and Sam Smith, all relatively inexperienced players. Douglas would bring a veteran presence to the group and stability as the team moves on from Ramsey.
If signed, Douglas would likely step into a starting role. His physicality and ball hawking skills would fit the Dolphins‘ scheme especially, if they plan to continue to be aggressive. Plus, his experience in multiple systems makes him a versatile option who can adapt quickly to new surroundings.
The Big Picture: Rebuilding the Secondary
Replacing Jalen Ramsey won’t be easy, but the Dolphins are committed to rebuilding their secondary this offseason. Beyond free agents like Douglas, they may also address the position in the upcoming draft. But signing a proven commodity like Douglas gives them a head start on stabilizing their defense.
Douglas’ leadership and experience will also help younger players like Kohou and Duck develop into reliable players down the line. For a team that wants to compete in a tough AFC East division having, a veteran in the room can make all the difference.
Will Douglas Be Enough?
Rasul Douglas is intriguing, but there are questions about if he can replace what Ramsey brought to the table. Ramsey’s athleticism, consistency, and shutdown ability make him one of the top cornerbacks in the NFL. Douglas is a gamble not just in terms of performance but also in terms of durability and reliability.
But Douglas’ familiarity with zone heavy schemes and his ability to make big plays can be an asset for the Dolphins. Whether he’s a long term solution or just a stopgap remains to be seen, but he’ll definitely help ease the pain of losing Ramsey.
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