As the Miami Dolphins prepare to part ways with star cornerback Jalen Ramsey, the pressure is mounting on former second-round pick Cam Smith to finally make his mark.
Drafted in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft, Smith’s NFL career has yet to take off. During his rookie season, he was largely relegated to special teams, logging just 22 defensive snaps under then-defensive coordinator Vic Fangio. Injuries further hampered his development in 2024, with hamstring and shoulder issues leading to two stints on injured reserve. Over two seasons, Smith has appeared in only six games, playing a total of 155 defensive snaps.
Speaking on Tuesday, Dolphins general manager Chris Grier made it clear that the team’s patience is wearing thin.
“Cam Smith needs to come through at the end of the day,” Grier said, per the team’s official transcript. “He’s got to stay healthy and be on the field. He has shown some flashes, but this is a very big year. He knows what’s expected because we can’t hold his hand and wait for him anymore.”
Even when he did see action in 2024, the results were far from encouraging. According to Pro Football Focus, Smith allowed 16 receptions on 19 targets, a concerning number for a player expected to take on a larger role.
Assuming the Dolphins follow through with a Ramsey trade and Grier’s comments suggest it’s more a question of when than if , the team’s cornerback room will be left thin. Alongside Smith are Kader Kohou, who has primarily played in the slot, veteran Artie Burns, who turns 30 this year, and a collection of unproven players including Storm Duck, Ethan Bonner, Isaiah Johnson, and Jason Maitre.
With the NFL Draft approaching, Miami is expected to address the position, potentially early. However, getting meaningful contributions from Smith would go a long way in stabilizing the secondary. For now, the Dolphins are making it clear: it’s time for Cam Smith to deliver.
