Dolphins Corner Named AFC Defensive Player of the Week

Dolphins Corner Named AFC Defensive Player of the Week

Miami Dolphins cornerback Rasul Douglas has been named AFC Defensive Player of the Week for Week 14 of the NFL season for his dominant performance in the team’s rout of the New York Jets on Dec. 7. The award marks the third of Douglas’ lengthy NFL career and the third won by a Dolphin in the 2025 campaign, as linebacker Jordyn Brooks — the league’s leader in solo tackles with 81 — already has two to his name.

Douglas picked off Jets quarterback Brady Cook at the goal line just before halftime of Sunday’s blowout victory, and his play on the ball ensured that Miami entered the locker room in complete control on the scoreboard — the Dolphins were ahead 24-7 at halftime.

Not only was he one of two Dolphins to intercept Cook, but the nine-year man and former third-round pick in the 2017 NFL Draft defended a season-high five passes in that contest and also totaled a pair of assisted tackles. He helped Miami’s defensive unit hold New York’s offense to just 10 points scored in the entire game.

The Dolphins acquired Douglas in a budget move in free agency in August ahead of the start of the 2025 campaign. He was added to the fold amid a string of poor injury luck to their secondary, and all in all, the decision to take a flier on him has aged well. Douglas has functioned as a steadying presence on a Miami secondary that’s replete with youth and inexperience.

While it doesn’t seem likely that Douglas will stick around with the Dolphins for the long haul simply because of his age and the fact that his contract expires after this season, he’s been an effective stop-gap option this season. With any luck, he will continue to be just that for the Dolphins to wrap up the campaign and help them secure a playoff berth.