The Dolphins entered the offseason with a big hole at cornerback and so far Chris Grier hasn’t filled it. That’s weird since Grier is always saying “you can never have enough cornerbacks”. They released 2024 starter Kendall Fuller and haven’t signed a clear replacement for Jalen Ramsey or even solidified the nickel corner spot where Kader Kohou could move up to boundary corner if needed.
Right now the cornerback depth chart is thin. Cam Smith, Storm Duck, Isaiah Johnson, Ryan Cooper Jr., Jason Maitre and Ethan Bonner are the only corners on the roster and none of them have proven themselves as starters. With the remaining free agent class lacking quality options it’s looking more and more like the Dolphins will have to draft a cornerback in the first three rounds on April 22-24.
Top Cornerback Prospects the Dolphins Could Target
Michigan’s Will Johnson
Will Johnson is one of the top boundary cornerbacks in this draft—unless you count Colorado’s Travis Hunter who’s also a wide receiver. But durability is a concern after he missed the second half of last season with a toe injury and had a hamstring issue earlier this spring.
Johnson has great ball skills, 3 INTs for TDs in his college career. In 6 starts last season he allowed 0 TDs and a 52.6 passer rating in coverage (16-26 for 195 yards). ESPN’s Mel Kiper has him 10th overall but mocks him at 16, after Miami’s pick at 13.
NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein likes Johnson’s size, fluidity and instincts and says he’s a future Pro Bowler. But recovery speed might be a concern for some teams. If he falls to 13, he’d be a nice get for the Dolphins.
Texas’ Jahdae Barron
Barron has been rising up draft boards after his 2024 season. At 5-11, he’s played over 600 snaps inside and outside the last two years and over 600 snaps at both slot and boundary corner.
Last year, Barron had 5 INTs, 0 TDs and 7.7 yards per catch on 37 catches against 68 targets. His 4.39 40-yard dash at the combine shows he’s got the speed to play perimeter corner opposite Ramsey.
Draft projections for Barron vary wildly with Daniel Jeremiah at 11 and Mel Kiper at 24. If Miami trades down a little—maybe to 16 as Chad Reuter suggests—Barron would be the pick.
Kentucky’s Maxwell Hairston
Hairston ran the fastest 40-yard dash (4.28) at the combine. At 5-11, his speed and ball-hawking ability is interesting.
Despite missing time with a nagging shoulder injury last year, Hairston didn’t allow a TD in coverage and had 6 INTs the last two years. But his completions were chunk plays, 21.8 yards per catch.
Kiper has Hairston at 29 and Jeremiah at 23. If Miami stays put or trades back a little, Hairston could be a boundary or nickel corner right away.
FSU’s Azareye’h Thomas
Thomas is 6-1½ and showed consistent coverage skills last year with a 50.2 passer rating against. He allowed 17 completions on 33 targets for 141 yards (8.3 per catch).
He doesn’t have big INT numbers (2 in 3 years) but his pass breakups (19 at FSU) show his playmaking ability. ESPN’s Jordan Reid calls him the best press-man corner in the draft despite being only 20 years old.If they trade down to 13.
Notre Dame’s Benjamin Morrison
Morrison’s stock took a hit after he missed the last 10 games of the season with a hip injury. But he has 9 career interceptions and sticky coverage skills so he’s a late Day 1 or early Day 2 option.
ESPN’s Mike Tannenbaum says Morrison has the technical skills but coverage is inconsistent. A zone heavy scheme like Miami’s could mask those weaknesses and let his ball skills shine.
Reid mocks Morrison at 42, just ahead of Miami’s 2nd round pick. If he’s there he’s a developmental starter.
Mississippi’s Trey Amos
Amos is a divisive prospect, with evaluators split on where he goes in the draft. 6-1, he had 15 pass breakups (2nd in the FBS last year) and 3 INTs.
His athleticism was confirmed at the combine where he ran a 4.43 40. While his run support needs work, his length and physicality makes him a strong outside starter.
Jeremiah has him at 26, Reid has him at 57. Depending on how the board falls, Amos could be a great value pick for Miami.
Other Options
Iowa State’s Darien Porter
6-3, Porter has rare size and athleticism at the position. Only started one season at corner but the upside is there.
East Carolina’s Shavon Revel Jr.
Before he tore his ACL in September, Revel was a late 1st round pick. His length and zone vision makes him a Day 2 pick.
Louisville’s Quincy Riley & California’s Nohl Williams
Both have intriguing traits but come with questions. Riley’s zone inconsistency and Williams’ run support struggles could push them to the 3rd round where Miami has a comp pick at 98.
