Cam Smith
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JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA - AUGUST 26: Cam Smith #24 of the Miami Dolphins warms up prior to a preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Stadium on August 26, 2023 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Rich Storry/Getty Images)
The Miami Dolphins head into the 2025 season with looming questions about their defensive secondary.
Once considered a strength of their defense, the Dolphins secondary has had many departures, leaving the unit in flux.
With star cornerback Jalen Ramsey likely on his way out and Jevon Holland no longer on the roster, the Dolphins need answers quickly.
This transition will put pressure on the young players on the roster and on the veterans they brought in this offseason.
With options to choose from, the Dolphins will hope their new-look defensive backfield will stand tall and deliver the goods.
Cam Smith At Center Of Attention
Facing a storm of questions, the Dolphins’ secondary will need to find immediate answers to handle the secondary turnover.
With the departure of Jalen Ramsey imminent, the pulse of the defensive backfield remains shaky.
One of the biggest names under the microscope is CB Cam Smith. The 2023 second-round pick hasn’t carved out the role many had expected.
Last season, Smith played only 133 defensive snaps and recorded 16 tackles, making for an underwhelming 2024 campaign.
Smith now heads into his third NFL season and is hoping to carve out his role and become a piece of the Dolphins’ future.
CBS Sports Analyst Charles Davis recently spoke in an interview about the Dolphins’ upcoming season and the urgency for Smith to step up.
“To me it’s now or never, they drafted him to be a starter, and he hasn’t come close to living up to that promise,” said Davis.
The Dolphins coaching staff are still presumed to give Smith every shot to win a starting job in the defensive secondary.
If Ramsey does indeed exit, as expected, Smith will become the logical next man up in the secondary.
Smith will need to find his feet quickly with training camp on the horizon, and the hope is he will live up to the expectations in front of him.
“That’s a high draft pick, high potential, with almost no return so far,” said Davis.
Dolphins Secondary Facing Urgency
If the Dolphins hope to climb back into the playoff race of the dreaded AFC, the defense will need to bounce back.
The departure of S Jevon Holland in Free Agency left another gap that the Dolphins will need to fill.
Holland is still a young, dynamic player who was once a cornerstone of the Dolphins defensive secondary.
Now, Holland is in New York and the Dolphins signed two new safeties of their own.
Ifeatu Melifonwu joins the Dolphins as the presumed starter to take over the main role at the position.
While Ashtyn Davis, who was signed from the New York Jets, will be in the mix to compete for the starting role opposite Melifonwu.
Veteran Elijah Campbell and 2025 fifth-round pick Dante Trader Jr. will also be in the mix to compete.
Looking to regain their success from the 2023 season, the Dolphins will need their defensive secondary to step up.
The urgency is real and the Dolphins secondary doesn’t just need warm bodies, they need game-changers.