Even a casual Miami Dolphins can see the team hasn’t really fortified the secondary in this 2025 off season. Sure, we drafted a CB and a S in RD 5, but going into the draft knowing well you were parting ways with one of your starting CB’s, and a good one, your best (CB Jalen Ramsey”, I don’t care if you’re the mostest optimistic fan, you see the Dolphins are just hoping against odds that a collection of late RD draft picks and undrafted free agents can form a legitimate secondary. Throw in the fact that both safeties we added haven’t been starters the last 3 seasons, except for a spot starts, 10 of 51 for Melifonwu, and 6 of 51 for Davis. There will be competition, and according to DC Anthony Weaver, “A lot of players with chips on their shoulders”. Much like the D-line last year, we were really short there but DE/DT Calais Campbell luckily chose us. Is it possible we get lucky and another veteran CB chooses us and starts? Absolutely, and that could be a long in the tooth veteran like Stephon Gilmore or Rasul Douglas, or maybe a younger guy who is currently coming off shoulder surgery in CB Asante Samuel Jr.
Who would be the likely starters right now? While this might be a futile exercise because nothing has happened yet, you could guess that Cam Smith and Storm Duck would be the outside CB’s and Kader Kohou would be the in the slot. Who would be the competition? There’s a whole bunch of guys, including players that have been here in CB’s Jason Maitre, Ethan Bonner, and Isaiah Johnson, Jason Marshall who was a 5th RD draft pick this year, and then a veteran we recently picked up Kendall Sheffield, as well as nickel corner Artie Burns who we signed earlier this year. Add in CB’s Ethan Robinson, BJ Adams and John Saunders, who were undrafted and signed by the Dolphins. So lots of hungry mouths, but many of them won’t make the cut, and even the ones that do may not necessarily be starting CB material, but they will be starting for us anyway if we don’t upgrade.
At safety, there will also be some healthy competition with the guys I mentioned, probable starters Ifeatu Melifonwu at SS, and then Ashtyn Davis at FS. 2024 Draftee S Patrick McMorris and this years 5th RD pick S Dante Trader will also be in the mix, as well as Elijah Campbell and UDFA Jordan Colbert. McMorris looked very good in the preseason games last year, and Elijah Campbell although he’s also a very valuable St’s guy, Campbell will be in the mix at S. There might even be a little bit of a rotation or situational use for some of these guys, but they may still see the field on certain downs and distances. Time will tell there. I like the safety situation better than the CB’s, for whatever that’s worth.
In a usual season, I’d be angry about this, but I don’t think this team has the chops on either side of the ball to compete with the best teams, and therefore, I have no anger about the neglect. GM Chris Grier has been piecing together this team for the last 2 seasons, mostly ignored the D0line, picking up a bunch of rotational players and then of course lucking out into getting excellent production form a 38 year old veteran DL in Calais Campbell. As I mentioned, maybe Grier gets bailed out again by some CB we pick up or trade for when Jalen Ramsey is either traded or cut outright. Everyone is mostly excited about the D-line and our new draftees Kenneth Grant, Jordan Phillips, and Zeek Biggers along with some of the players and UDFA’s we also signed including Matt Dickerson and Alex Huntley. Add in the return of two potentially important pass rushing LB’s Jaelan Phillips and Bradley Chubb, along with sophomore pass rusher Chop Robinson who flashed in his rookie season, you can see why fans are enthusiastic about the front 7. DT’s Grant and Phillips could (should) see lots of playing time, and our inside LB while unspectacular, is pretty darn solid. ILB’s Jordyn Brooks and Tyrel Dodson will probably start with nice depth from ILB’s Willie Gay and K.J. Britt.
All that looks promising, and if OLB’s Bradley Chubb and Jaelan Phillips are healthy all season and producing, even I can admit that the secondary shouldn’t be as much of an issue, except when you play the best teams, and then those weaknesses are exposed again and again. As many of you know here, I think the offense will have to carry this team. That’s not to say this defense could turn out to be a good unit, but an awful lot of good things need to happen, and to be fair, when does that happen for us Dolphins fans? Are we really going to get buy with 5 guys in the secondary who probably wouldn’t start for any other team in the NFL, let alone our own division? We need this offense to hum, perhaps not to the same high level of 2023 where we were 2nd in the NFL scoring 29.2 PPG, but not too far off of that. I understand as much as the next guy that sometimes competition brings out the best in some players and that sometimes players rise to the occasion and win jobs they weren’t expected to get. On the other hand, the best of the worst doesn’t always translate into success against the rest of the NFL. We’re going to need this offense to be great again (MTOGA?). If that happens, maybe it’s OK that the concern for our defensive backfield is a secondary one.
GO DOLPHINS!!!
Happy Memorial Day!!! Thanks to all those who have served and to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice
Finsmob Unleashed 
I also heard Chubb and Phillips were doing very vigorous drills and were looking good.
Both look to be ready for week 1.
Yep!
Chubb had 2 sacks today, but both were vs OT Ryan Hayes.
Mike E.
says:
May 28, 2025 at 1:34 pm
Steve – Who hired MM? Hmmm
that’s right, who’s your Daddy Mike
go on say it, you can do it😜
Of course it’s always about health, but Chubb, Phillips and Chop are quality edge guys. That’s a nice rotation.
Wingfield also said Patrick Paul had a good day, won 100% of his reps in pass pro.
He also said Jonah struggled a little in the first team period but was much better in the second team period locking it down in pass pro and besting Kenneth Grant to open up a big run for Wright.
Jonah struggled, I told you guys they shouldn’t have traded up, bust already🤦
I’m waiting for someone to say “it means nothing until the pads come on”.
Hey, it’s news. lol
Ryder said it was reported that Tua and Waddle were schooling people all day. Said Tua hit Waddle on a 50 yarder (in air). Waddle said the ball was so perfect like he just handed it to him.
— The longest completion came when Tua hit Waddle over the top after he got behind cornerback Cam Smith, who appeared to pull up a bit lame after the play. After several plays on the sideline, Smith was back on the field.
#gothispridehurt
Will not start this year.
Who will take that bet?
I am rewatching Guardians of Galaxy III just to see the “I knew you thought I was a Good Dog” scene. I think that is the cutest running gag of the movie.
Eric Smith’s film study on Borom is tough to watch, we better hope for no injuries or Kion Smith being back to form and ahead of him
it’s Colonblow bad
Steve, I’d be surprised if Mattison doesn’t make the team. Unless he lost a step like Dalvin Cook did. He has less wear and tear.
but he’s expendable
last year at training camp practice Jonnu was that elwctric football player piece, that was moving faster than everyone else, then in the season he played the same way
when I had a bad case of the Mikes before the draft I wasn’t going to go this year, changed my mind
Hmmm….drive time with Travis….for some positivity.
https://omny.fm/shows/drive-time-with-travis-wingfield/52825-mp3
First time listening to him….I thought he made some nice commentary.
He’s a Dolphins shill, for whatever that’s worth. He’s not going to ever say bad things about the team.
Lol…I know, but still…liked his Chubb report.
congratulations to the Florida Panthers for their third consecutive conference championship!!
Going to the big show again!!
GO PANTHERS!!
Congrats! Very impressive!!
As a nod to Phelon: “Badminton”?
In a make or break year for Tanner Conner, reports say he looks much bigger and has a true TE body.
Dolphins rookie might become the team’s biggest letdown of the year
how does this headline make any sense? Late round draft picks don’t usually see much PT
https://phinphanatic.com/miami-dolphins-rookie-ollie-gordon-might-biggest-letdown
and doesn’t address what the headline says, kind of clickbaitish.
Brian Miller is a goober anyway/
we only have four running backs on the roster. And one fullback all five of those guys are going to make the 53 unless there is an injury or we pick up somebody else’s cut, not one of the running backs is expendable in this current squad.
I forgot his name but we have the UDFA RB also, for what that’s worth.
Nate Noel
hope we can stash Noel on PS
I don’t foresee that being a problem as 32 teams passed on him already …
Big E
Miami Dolphins undrafted free agent pickup Andrew Armstrong looks 7 feet tall compared to the other receivers. #PhinsUp
Interesting
——————————-
Dov Kleiman
2025 RB Rankings: What would you change?
I like seeing love for Achane, but how can anyone be above Saquon after what he did last season?
Still one of the sickest moves I have ever seen in 50+ years.
^
These are fantasy football rankings, not to be confused as real football rankings. Achane is #1 because he poses a threat to catch the ball and take it to the house.
@kpatra‘s top remaining offseason priority for Dolphins: Add a veteran CB (after trading Jalen Ramsey) https://nfl.com/news/biggest-remaining-offseason-priority-for-each-afc-team-qb1-for-browns-colts-steelers?campaign=Twitter_atn
@SharpFootball
most efficient QBs vs 2-high
1. Lamar Jackson
2. Baker Mayfield
3. Drake Maye
4. Tua Tagovailoa
5. Brock Purdy
This is yet another reason why Achane is so deadly in the passing game, along with Jonnu Smith. Opposing Defenses may be able to contain the deep ball vs ‘Reek & Da’ Penguin playing 2-high Safeties, but Tua’s gonna hit Achane or Jonnu underneath as a result.
There will also be another WR in 11 personnel most likely Malik or NWI.
And now that our O-Line looks MUCH better (on paper at least) than least season, I dare opposing Defenses to play 2-deep Safeties against our running game.
Achane and Wright will absolutely run rampant.
Tim Knight
says:
May 29, 2025 at 2:19 pm
There will also be another WR in 11 personnel most likely Malik or NWI.
———–
Yup! Good call.
Tim,
Personally, I foresee our Offense returning to a top-10 — if not a top-5 Offense — again this season… so long as Tua stays healthy and our O-Line doesn’t sustain too many injuries.
What do you think about our Offense this season, man?
The same as you. We have lots of skill, gotta block it.
Absolutely. So long as we can contest in a shoot-out, we have hope for this season.
I still want to see another Guard signed, and I definitely think we should sign a vet CB.
Again, the medical recheck on Asante Samuel Jr is in July, as I understand. If he looks good to go, I’d sign him… but we don’t want to get into a bidding war for his services. A bidding war is going to price him out for us.
Word is the Saints are hot and heavy for ASJ.
I love all the positivity! 🤙
LOL, yet, there IS reason for SOME positivity! Don’t know if it translates to the playoffs, but we’ll see…
I mean, SERIOUSLY… IF we can replicate our ’22 and ’23 Offensive output, we’re contenders.
Will we wilt against good teams and take another Wildcard loss? Probably… but not necessarily, either.
Randy,
LOL, here’s one way to look at things. You can either turn your bucket upside down to shield yourself from the rain, or you can use your bucket to collect the rain.
Go with the latter, and your bucket will always be half full! 😀
Noooooooo, don’t listen to Brian in NY regarding our 1st round pick!!!!!
None of us remember what you said….
I do… Tyler Warren, TE, PSU!
‘Man-crush’ of mine, but we absolutely needed to reinforce the trenches first and foremost.
Sucks when a ‘man-crush’ doesn’t mesh with a need, but these things happen. We had to pass on Tyler Warren.
it may about to be a need- Dolphins talked to the Steelers about a trade for Jonnu
every time things start looking up this bozo looks to trade another star player
👍see what you can do with this
something like sitting would be good
M13,
I was being serious, actually. I get a little too analytical about stuff sometimes and it’s good to remember it’s just a damn game.
My best friend since kindergarten lost his son, my first Godson, to suicide after his baby girl died and he got back from deployment. He shot himself in the head at 25. 2 of my friend’s other sons are being deployed…one left today. I need to remember to be thankful I can sit on my ass and watch a game.
My condolences to you and your friend since kindergarten and his whole family. That is extraordinarily sad to hear, my guy. 😦
Why is fuckface trading Jonnu? We finally had an explosive TE in the passing game and now we want to trade him? What, to get another 3rd RD pick so he can fucking trade it in next year’s draft?
IF we trade Jonnu… the fix is in. Coach McD is on the hot seat and GM Grier is not.
It would then all come down to ONE problem: Stevie Ross.
now do you see why I said what I said above?
Brian,
You and I BOTH love Tyler Warren to death as PSUs!!!
That cat is likely to have a GRAND career!
Nevertheless, he wasn’t in the cards for us, Brother. If we had drafted him @ R1P13, we’d be in DEEP poop regarding both our O-Line and D-Line.
Warren would have been a luxury pick for us, had we a stellar O-Line or D-Line, Brother.
it’s not a luxury pick if we trade Jonnu six weeks later…
I don’t understand trading Jonnu but nothing in any realm of life surprises me anymore.
Same here, man… seriously.
I’ve grown to learn to expect the unexpected.
😂
From what I’ve read, he want a new contract, likely a long term deal.
Same here… Jonnu wants to capitalize on his career-year of last year.
I’d have no problem giving Jonnu a fair contract. He was great, caught a ton of screen passes and dump offs and turned them into big plays. We haven’t had such an explosive TE here. Why do we reward the wrong players and let the good ones go?
” i’ll take why do we reward the wrong players and let the good ones go for $2000 Alex. “
”what is, the general manager”
It’s so frustrating, how many bad decisions can this guy make and still keep his job? I guess we’ll have to wait and see if what happens, maybe we keep him after all
Mike E,
Even if we keep him, it seems odd that we are even looking to trade him, regardless of the contract situation, to me it is a bad look.
And yet they deny being in a rebuild. Trading of Ramsey made sense if there is a riff with the HC and also needing to clear cap.
Trading of Janu only tells me one thing and they are trying to rebuild by getting more draft picks.
They could easily extend Jannu. Though, it depends on what he is asking for.
Trade Jannu for TE Pat Freiermuth or RG Mason McCormick!
Then I won’t be mad.
Another I wouldn’t mind is promising CB Cory Trice Jr, 6’3, 206, who is their backup LCB behind Darius Slay.
Lastly, trade Jannu for big TE Darnell Washington, 6’7, 264.
Only free agent TE I could see bringing in is Gerald Everett. He had some solid years his whole career until ending up on the bears last year. The 2 seasons prior (22′ and 23′) with the Chargers he had a total of 109 rec for 966 yards and 7 TD’s. He will be 31 at the start of the season.
Trading Jannu (post 6/1) will clear 4m in cap this year and leave 1.65m in 2026 dead cap. The dead cap is from his signing bonus spread out over 3 void years.
Without Jannu, the TE room would be Pharoh Brown, Jullian Hill, Tanner Conner, Jaylin Conyers and Hayden Rucci.
Media says Dolphins could get a 2026 3rd round pick for Jannu.
With Arthur Smith as the Steelers OC, this whole thing looks like they are going to get Kurt Cousins and Arthur Smith wants Jannu back as well.
From what I read Jannu wants a contract extension.
He wants to stay in Miami.
Pitt called and asked about trading for Jannu.
I don’t know if there is a connection between the 2?
NEW BLOG UP!!!