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Dolphins Predicted to Sign 25-Year-Old Free Agent Cornerback

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Coby Leibowitz | Last updated May 20, 2025 11:16 AM ET

The Miami Dolphins are scrambling to fix their cornerback room issues before the start of the season, and with limited assets to trade, the free agency market may be the place to go.

Surprisingly, many options are still left in free agency for the Dolphins to choose from, but Matt Bowen of ESPN sees one specific target as a perfect fit with the Dolphins in his recent article about the best free agent and trade fits.

Asante Samuel Jr., who remains a free agent, was a second-round pick in 2021 by the Chargers, and Bowens is the best fit for the Dolphins.

The article states that Samuel when healthy is one of the most talented cornerbacks in the league, but a shoulder and neck injury kept him out of 13 games last season and seems to be concerning enough to restrain the Los Angeles Chargers from re-signing him. He has a doctor's appointment in July to check in on his injury should reveal more about the severity and his availability for next season.

The article also mentions that the Dolphins are going to be incredibly thin at cornerback if they eventually trade Jalen Ramsey, and they would be left with no true number one option.

Another note made in the article is that Samuel's playmaking abilities and speed would be a perfect fit in Miami's defense, which played Cover 2 on 27.3 percent of opponent drop-backs.

Samuel has been able to record six interceptions and 26 pass deflections in his four seasons with the Chargers. He has also recorded 176 tackles, three tackles for loss, and a fumble recovery over his four years at well.

If it's revealed that he is healthy and recovered, the Dolphins should instantly go after him and make sure they can find an offer to bring him in. If he isn't ready, then there are a few other alternatives they could go towards. Players like Kendall Fuller, Jack Jones, Stephon Gilmore, Cameron Sutton, and James Bradberry are all still available.

These are some experienced players that would be able to contribute and add some value to the team, but none of them would be able to be relied on as a number one corner like Samuel could.

If Samuel is deemed healthy or close to it after his check-up up then he is a must-sign. He would instantly be the best cornerback on the roster, assuming they have traded Ramsey by then, and because of his injuries and limited interest from other teams he may sign for a team friendly contract and the Dolphins need inexpensive options.

The Dolphins want to get back to the playoffs and their winning ways, and in order to do that they need someone that can go out and line up across some of the best receivers in the league. Samuel can be the player to do that, and the Dolphins can replace Ramsey with Samuel knowing that they still have a playmaker on the field.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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