The Miami Dolphins‘ – to put it kindly – “improvised” cornerback situation has been a thing much-covered by media outlets for the duration of this offseason.
Ever since Jalen Ramsey and the organization “mutually agreed” to seek a trade back in April, concerns have been levelled about the position’s strength and depth on the roster.
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Ramsey was subsequently traded at the end of June, and a month later the team lost both starting and backup slot corners, Kader Kohou and Artie Burns, to season ending knee injuries.
The organization bought in AFC North veteran nickel, Mike Hilton, and former Patriots and Raiders boundary corner, Jack Jones, but it could be that neither end up starting.
Dolphins Rookie Looks To Be Set For Big Year 1 Role
Jones is set to potentially get beat out by high performing ex-Falcons fourth round pick, Kendall Sheffield, whilst rookie Jason Marshall Jr. – selected in the fifth round of April’s draft – could win the starting job over Hilton, in a very surprise move, according to Joe Schad of The Palm Beach Post.
“Jason [Marshall Jr.] started for the Dolphins in the slot.” Schad wrote on Saturday, “He started alongside Storm Duck and Jack Jones and may be in line to start the opener at Indianapolis, ahead of veteran Mike Hilton. Marshall has good physical tools and has demonstrated instincts and ability to tackle, even though he’s never played slot before.”
Hilton is an experienced veteran and a great locker room presence, but that does not necessarily mean that the organization will be intent on keeping him as the starter if they can sense high level potential from one of their younger, up-and-coming players in Marshall.
Head coaches and general managers – especially ones on the hot seat – like Mike McDaniel and Chris Grier – are always incentivized to play and develop younger talent that they themselves have drafted, as they can use them as empirical proof of success. Especially if those players come on the third day of the draft.
What Will The Dolphins Cornerback Situation Look Like In Week 1?
Marshall Jr. is hardly set at nickel back, and Hilton could well still be the favorite to land the starting role come the season opener on September 7th against the Indianapolis Colts.
But it looks like, if he continues to impress for the last couple of days of camp – and gives the coaching staff faith that he can be steady – that he might be the guy in the slot for large parts of the upcoming season.
On the outside, Storm Duck is set to feature opposite one of either Sheffield or Jones – although former undrafted free agent, Ethan Bonner, is not out of the mix just yet.
However it ends up shaping out, Miami’s secondary will need considerable help if it is to become just an average unit in 2025.