Dolphins Sign CB Nick McCloud

McCloud, 28, has logged 63 appearances and 20 starts in his five-year career, making him Miami’s second-most experienced corner behind Marco Wilson. He could instantly compete for a starting job on the boundary or at nickel in a secondary that lacks a clear starter at either spot outside of first-round pick Chris Johnson.

McCloud spent the 2025 season with the Bears and occupied a 47% snap share across his 15 appearances (four starts). His numbers improved substantially from a rough 2024 campaign split between New York and San Francisco, during which he allowed a 90% completion rate and a perfect passer rating when targeted, but he still ranked among the league’s bottom-five cornerbacks in both categories. The Dolphins will be hoping McCloud can return to his level of play in 2022 and 2023 with the Giants, when he consistently made impact plays and allowed completions on just 56.3% of his targets.

Miami also placed veteran kicker Zane Gonzalez on injured reserve and waived undrafted rookie running back Anthony Hankerson.

Dolphins head coach Jeff Hafley said earlier on Monday (via ESPN’s Marcel Louis-Jacques) that Gonzalez was “week-to-week.” Landing on IR during training camp ends a player’s season, so the team could be negotiating an injury settlement to release Gonzalez in the coming days.

Riley Patterson needs no assurances of his job security after converting a career-high 93.1% of his field goals last year, the fourth-highest rate in the league. However, the Dolphins may now consider adding another kicker for the preseason to take some of the load off their veteran starter. 

Hankerson, 22, racked up 2,168 yards and 24 touchdowns on 479 rushing attempts over the last two years at Oregon State following two seasons as a change-of-pace option at Colorado. His departure thins the Dolphins’ running back room to five: Pro Bowler De’Von Achane recent Day 3 picks Ollie Gordon and Jaylen Wright, and former UDFAs Carlos Washington and Donovan Edwards. Gordon and Wright are competing for the primary backup role, while Washington and Edwards will need to carve out special teams roles to win a backend roster spot.