(Editor’s note: This concludes our summer series on the Miami Dolphins. Each entry breaks down a specific position group, examining how the 2024 unit performed. what’s expected in 2025 and, finally, concluding which group is better, the 2024 version or 2025.)
Perhaps no position group will be under more scrutiny during Dolphins training camp than the secondary. The unit underwent massive changes since the end of the 2024 season and its performance will be a key to how strong the defense will be in 2025.
Last year’s defensive backs
Kader Kohou
Jalen Ramsey
Jevon Holland
Jordan Poyer
Elijah Campbell
Ethan Bonner
Patrick McMorris
Siran Neal
Storm Duck
Cam Smith
Kendall Fuller
How they performed
The Dolphins were ninth against the pass last season, but as you’ll see, the cast of characters is changing considerably.
Miami had just 10 interceptions in 2024 and defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver has made creating turnovers a priority.
Duck was a pleasant surprise – call him 2024’s answer to Kader Kohou, who suddenly is among the most experienced players in Miami’s secondary.
Smith continued to struggle with fitness and playing time.
This year’s defensive backs
Minkah Fitzpatrick
Kohou
Kendall Sheffield
Ashtyn Davis
Campbell
Artie Burns
Smith
Ifeatu Melifonwu
Bonner
Dante Trader Jr.
McMorris
Jason Marshall Jr.
Jordan Colbert
John Saunders Jr.
Duck
Isaiah Johnson
Ryan Cooper Jr.
B.J. Adams
Ethan Robinson
Jason Maitre
Outlook
The Dolphins added Davis, Melifonwu and Burns in free agency.
But they lost Holland.
Then they traded away Ramsey for a familiar face in Fitzpatrick, which, at least as far as the secondary is concerned, offered a net gain of zero established vets in the defensive backfield.
Holland didn’t have his best year last season and, although he was a good player for Miami overall, his career didn’t hit the high note some expected it to. He hasn’t, for example, made a single Pro Bowl.
The Dolphins lost experience with Fuller and Poyer gone, but Poyer in particular was disappointing last season.
So put it all together and the talent lost should not be overstated.
Having said that, where are the replacements or reinforcements?
For various reasons, Davis, Melifonwu and Burns made four starts combined for their teams last season.
They had two interceptions combined.
The No. 1 reason to be concerned about this team is the secondary, and it’s not even close. The offense should score points, but can the defense stop people from doing the same?
Can the Dolphins really be optimistic facing Josh Allen (twice), Lamar Jackson, Joe Burrow, Justin Herbert and Jayden Daniels with a patchwork secondary?
Bottom line: Last year’s model or this year’s?
Last year. Clearly.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Miami Dolphins’ secondary gets makeover, remains team’s biggest concern entering camp
Reporting by Hal Habib, Palm Beach Post / Palm Beach Post
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
