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MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - AUGUST 23: Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel looks on prior to a NFL Preseason 2025 game between Jacksonville Jaguars and Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on August 23, 2025 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Rich Storry/Getty Images)
With the first round of waivers for the 2025 NFL season processing on Wednesday, the Miami Dolphins successfully claimed a former second-round pick at cornerback who’s dealt with injuries throughout his short NFL career.
CB JuJu Brents, the No. 44 overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft by the Colts, never quite found his footing in Indianapolis. Due to a series of injuries, he missed extensive time over his first two seasons in the league, and missed more time this training camp with a new injury. Colts general manager Chris Ballard said in a press conference on Wednesday that Brents has dealt with “bad luck.” Ballard went on to say that Brents is a “good kid” and that he hopes a change of scenery will give him a fresh, injury-free chance.
In a corresponding move, the Dolphins waived CB Isaiah Johnson.
The Miami Dolphins Desperately Needed More Cornerback Depth
JuJu Brents
Andy Lyons/GettyINDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – DECEMBER 31: JuJu Brents #29 of the Indianapolis Colts celebrates in the game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 31, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
The Dolphins pulled off a coup with the CB Jalen Ramsey/TE Jonnu Smith trade, sending both players out for S Minkah Fitzpatrick (along with a few picks being swapped along the way). But doing that did leave their cornerback depth chart pretty barren, and it’s not like it was strong even with Ramsey in the fold.
Recently-signed veteran Rasul Douglas projects as one of the starters on the outside, and 2024 undrafted free agent Storm Duck had a good rookie season and is likely locked in on the other side. The nickel spot will be manned by either Jason Marshall Jr. or Jack Jones. But behind those four, the depth evaporated quickly. It was a concern coming into the offseason, and Miami never did much to fully address it.
Brents should immediately slot in as the top backup on the outside, and he has starter potential down the line. He has to stay healthy and get more experience, but the vision is there. Right now, he won’t be asked to play a significant on-field role — assuming everyone stays healthy. But the Dolphins might have something for the future.
JuJu Brents has Real Potential in Miami
Ballard wasn’t lying when he said Brents has faced a lot of bad luck. In college at Kansas State, he was one of the best cornerbacks in the league, being named first-team All-Big 12 in 2022. The Colts’ staff fell in love with Brents’ size, measurables, and athleticism, as his length and speed made him a real weapon for defenses on the outside.
Brents started eight games as a rookie, but was forced to miss eight games with a leg injury. In 2024, he suffered a serious knee injury — with multiple ligament tears and other damage — in the second game of the season. He missed the rest of the year and had some ground to make up this summer. Unfortunately, a hamstring injury suffered during training camp eventually led to the Colts waiving him.
The athletic, lockdown corner Brents once was is still in there. As Ballard said, perhaps a change of scenery will do him a lot of good. He could certainly use the fresh start.