The Miami Dolphins, along with the other 31 NFL teams, are spending their week at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, Indiana, as they prepare for the next steps to making their team better in the future.
After the combine, the biggest event for the league is the start of free agency on March 16 at the opening of another league year.
For the Dolphins, they have 28 players who are expected to become unrestricted, restricted or exclusive-rights free agents on that date, including cornerback Justin Coleman.
Coleman signed a one-year deal worth $2.25 million last offseason to join a deep cornerback room in Miami. Prior to this season, Coleman had spent two seasons each with the New England Patriots, Seattle Seahawks, and Detroit Lions.
When Coleman signed with Detroit in 2019 on a pretty large four-year, $36 million deal, they were led by general manager Bob Quinn and head coach Matt Patricia, who were both with the cornerback in New England when he signed as an undrafted free agent.
Then, when he was cut by the Lions, he was signed by Brian Flores, who coached him in New England as well.
With Xavien Howard and Byron Jones already on the roster, Coleman was expected to fill in his normal nickel spot in 2021. He was on the field for just 35% of snaps (his lowest since 2016), recording three passes defended, two interceptions, and a team-high 63.4 passer rating against 38 targets.
Nik Needham eventually took some of his reps at his slot position, and that could be a precursor for the future.
Coleman is still just 28 years old and can be a solid piece in a secondary, but he may be looking for an opportunity where he sees the field more frequently and can receive a decent payday. That place probably won’t be Miami.
