ESPN writer links Miami Dolphins to a former NFL Defensive Player of the Year who could be crucial to a 'functional' defense in 2025

It's no secret as to what the Miami Dolphins' biggest roster concern with training camp less than two months away.  The one where they're shipping out a former All-Pro very likely in the coming days. 

The Dolphins and CB Jalen Ramsey have effectively filed for a football divorce and now it's a matter of where the Dolphins send their veteran defender once the calendar moves past June 1, when the dead money cap hit in 2025 will be significantly reduced. It's just a matter of salary taken on, trade compensation, and destination now. 

What remains in the wake of his departure is a hot mess for Miami.  While Kader Kohou returns as a capable nickel corner, the rest of their cornerback room lacks any proven starting options for their outside spots.  Cam Smith, the Dolphins' 2023 second round draft pick who general manager Chris Grier has called out this offseason, and 2024 undrafted free agent Storm Duck appear to be the most likely starting candidates at this point.  

As such, the Dolphins are a prime candidate to land a remaining veteran free agent cornerback.  One noteworthy NFL writer sees a connection between Miami and one of the biggest names remaining on the market. 

ESPN senior NFL writer Bill Barnwell mentions Dolphins as a potential landing spot for free agent veteran CB Stephon Gilmore. 

Barnwell had the following to say about the Dolphins and Stephon Gilmore on his podcast on Thursday: 

"I was arguing the Dolphins just because, if Jalen Ramsey gets traded, their cornerback depth chart is Kader Kohou, Storm Duck, Cam Smith, Kendall Sheffield. If the Dolphins were tanking, which I don't think they are, if they were giving up, which I don't really think they are trying to transition and cut some of their losses and try to retool, but you would figure they would need something more at cornerback to be functional. Gilmore, it's not the hardest sell to get people to play in Miami - I mean, I don't know if Stephon Gilmore wants to play in Miami. It's usually an easier sell than a lot of other places late in the offseason. I could see that making sense if they do save some money on the Ramsey trade, if they can get away paying $6 million to Ramsey and so they save $15 million. Maybe putting some of that towards Gilmore could make some sense"

Gilmore is someone who's spent his fair share of time in the AFC East, spending his first 5 years in Buffalo and then 4 more in New England.  He won a Super Bowl with New England in 2018 and earned first team AP All-Pro honors in 2018 and 2019, as well as NFL Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2019. 

He's moved around a lot over the last four years, playing for four different teams - Carolina, Indianapolis, Dallas, and Minnesota from 2021 to 2024, respectively.  However, despite a few stats going up last year - a missed tackle percentage of 13.7% and opposing passer rating of 99.8 in 2024 were above his career averages of 9.3% and 79.9 - Gilmore was still a solid player for Minnesota and would become a penciled-in starter in Miami. 

It's a matter of money at this point, and we'll see how Miami's cap space looks after unloading Ramsey.  But Gilmore indeed is a name Dolphins fans should have their eyes on this offseason.