With the NFL offseason underway, and teams holding their minicamps and organized team activities, this is a big time for evaluations, not just by the team but by the media as well.
ESPN NFL analyst Mike Clay recently put together a ranking of all 32 cornerback units across the NFL, and the Miami Dolphins found themselves atop the list. Rounding out the top five behind the Dolphins were the New York Jets, Philadelphia Eagles, Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys.
2023 NFL Cornerback Unit Ranks and Depth Charts.
The Jalen Ramsey trade launches the Dolphins to #1 and sinks the Rams to #32 pic.twitter.com/gQW9P8Jknw
— Mike Clay (@MikeClayNFL) May 15, 2023
Miami’s acquisition of Jalen Ramsey this offseason is the clear reason why they’re ranked so highly. He’s a former All-Pro that’s still considered one of the best in the game today, and he’s joining a group that already had a former All-Pro in Xavien Howard.
Beyond those two, the Dolphins selected South Carolina’s Cam Smith in the second round of the 2023 draft, and he’ll be fighting for opportunities with 2022 undrafted rookie Kader Kohou and Nik Needham, who is coming off of a torn Achilles.
Even their depth pieces like Keion Crossen and Justin Bethel got some invaluable snaps last year due to the vast number of injuries that plagued Miami’s defense.
If this secondary can stay healthy and play to their potential, Clay should be proven right, especially as part of a defense that’s now being coached by one of the most well-respected coordinators in Vic Fangio.
