In the NFL, defensive depth can be the difference between making the playoffs and not. For the Miami Dolphins, that reality has become more and more concerning as they’ve decided not to pursue one of the top available cornerbacks, Jaire Alexander.
After the expected departure of Jalen Ramsey, Miami has made no effort to sign Alexander who was just released by the Green Bay Packers. And they didn’t even try to trade for Ramsey before he left.
At first glance it looks like a big mistake in a critical area of roster building.
A Missed Opportunity?
Jaire Alexander may have battled injuries the last few years but when healthy he’s one of the most explosive and shutdown corners in the game.
Since 2021 Alexander has played in 34 of 68 games, missing significant time due to knee issues. In 2023 he played only 9 games before surgery, adding to the durability concerns.
Still he has a track record — All-Pro and elite coverage stats — and many teams were expected to line up for his services.
So why isn’t Miami one of them?
It’s a question that’s got fans and analysts scratching their heads. With Ramsey likely to be traded and the current cornerback depth chart featuring Storm Duck and unproven draft picks Cam Smith and Jason Marshall Jr., there’s a real risk of going into the 2025 season with a weak back end.
The Cornerback Conundrum
The Dolphins secondary was already under the microscope after a shaky 2024 season. Now with Ramsey likely to be traded the pressure to find a replacement should be huge.
Instead Miami is counting on internal development and depth players who haven’t proven they can start consistently.
While optimism around young talent is understandable, relying solely on untested players could be disastrous especially in a division with high powered offenses like Buffalo and New England.
Alexander would’ve brought experience and playmaking ability that’s not in the current group.
Risk vs. Reward: Why Miami Might Be Staying Away
There’s no doubt Alexander comes with risk, mainly his injury history. But in today’s NFL taking calculated risks on former stars is part of the rebuild process.The Rams, Eagles and even the Bears have taken similar risks in recent years — some panned out big, others didn’t. But they made moves.
By sitting this one out Miami is getting left behind.
Some in the organization might think:
- Their scheme doesn’t fit Alexander’s skills.
- Investing in a player with his injury history isn’t worth the cap space.
- They’re going a different direction — maybe through the draft or mid-tier free agents.
But with no public plan B in sight it’s hard to see how this helps the team in the short term.
What This Says About Miami’s Strategy?
If the Dolphins want to be in the AFC they can’t ignore holes in their defense especially not at a premium position like cornerback.
Passing on Alexander raises questions if they are going for short term fixes or long term solutions.
Are they out of the “win now” mode that defined the team under Brian Flores and Mike McDaniel?
Or are they just waiting for the right deal to come along?
Either way being silent while a solution like Alexander goes unaddressed is a big risk — one that could cost them big if the season starts with a shaky secondary.
What’s Next for the Dolphins?
As training camp approaches, the Dolphins will need to either:
- Their plan doesn’t fit Alexander.
- Investing in a player with that injury history isn’t worth the cap space.
- They’re going a different direction — maybe through the draft or mid-tier free agents.
But without a public plan B, it’s hard to see how this serves the team well short term.
What This Means About Miami’s Plan?
If the Dolphins want to compete in the AFC, they can’t ignore holes in their defense, especially not at a premium position like corner.
Passing on Alexander raises questions about whether they’re going for short term fixes or just long term sustainability.
Are they getting away from the “win now” mindset of the Flores/McDaniel era?
Or are they just waiting for the right deal to come along?
Either way, staying silent while a solution like Alexander goes unaddressed is a risky move — one that could cost them dearly if the season starts with a shaky secondary.
What’s Next for the Dolphins?
As training camp approaches, they’ll need to:
- Reveal a cornerback plan featuring internal candidates.
- Make a late push for Alexander or another veteran.
- Target a trade or undervalued free agent.
If none of those happen, they’ll enter Week 1 with a defense that’s not playoff ready, and that’s a bad situation in a conference with so many explosive offenses.
Final Thoughts: Are They Giving Up?
Not passing on Jaire Alexander doesn’t mean the Dolphins are throwing in the towel on 2025.
But it does mean they’re not addressing a critical weakness — and that’s something fans shouldn’t ignore.
Whether it’s a financial miscalculation, a philosophical shift, or a temporary pause before a bigger move, only time will tell.
But if they don’t plug the cornerback hole soon, they may not just lose games — they’ll lose the fanbase.
