How the Dolphins' prized missing piece will fit in

As the 1972 Miami Dolphins sipped champagne to celebrate the last unbeaten team to lose this season, current head coach Mike McDaniel had a different reason to raise a toast. This one for injured star cornerback and prized offseason acquisition Jalen Ramsey. 

It appears that Ramsey – who has been named to the Pro Bowl in six straight years and as an All-Pro three times in his career – could return much sooner than expected.

"You know, I think he's doing great, guys, and I guess you'll have to tune in weekly on Wednesdays to see whenever things take a next step," McDaniel said, as per miamidolphins.com. "When he's ready to go, he'll be a loud voice in my ear."

The entire Dolphins defense will drink to that. Ramsey, one of the top three cover corners in the NFL, was acquired this past March for the relatively low cost of a 2023 third-round pick, plus tight end Hunter Long.

For Dolphins defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, the addition of Ramsey into the lineup will be the equivalent of a teen getting a red Ferrari for their first car. The eight-year veteran, who went on injured reserve after suffering a knee injury in training camp, is as shutdown as Alcatraz in its heyday. 

"I’ve been watching this guy for a very long time and finally had him in training camp," Dolphins CB coach Sam Madison said, as relayed by NBC Sports' Michael David Smith. "When he’s ready and it’s a go he’s definitely going to help us."

Ramsey is an athletic defender with length who can play multiple spots for Fangio, which should translate into the Dolphins presenting new looks for offenses. Ultimately, it will allow Fangio to play Ramsey on one side and longtime Miami defensive back Xavien Howard (who is fifth all time in Dolphins history for most interceptions) on the other. 

This will move DB Kader Kohou back to the nickel position in the slot on obvious passing downs when the Dolphins see three wide receiver sets. Most importantly, it will take CB Eli Apple – whom the Dolphins signed when Ramsey went down – off the field. 

"There’s nothing permanent in the NFL, [but] that’s the way we are going to go right now," Fangio said, per the Miami Herald's Barry Jackson. "Get Kader back inside. In nickel, we think he does a good job."

Apple was repeatedly torched by Buffalo Bills WR Stefon Diggs in the Dolphins' only defeat this year and was beaten like a pinata filled with receptions by Carolina Panthers receiver Adam Thielen in Miami's Week 6 win. 

Ramsey won't only be an upgrade over Apple. He figures to be the special cog for a defense that needs to match the elite play of the offense for this Dolphins team to be serious about a Super Bowl run. When Ramsey finally makes his South Florida debut, it will also aid pass rushers like Bradley Chubb, Jaelan Phillips and Andrew Van Ginkel – the team's best defender thus far – get more sacks. 

Ramsey figures to lock down one side of the field and make it more difficult for quarterbacks to find open targets. His insertion onto the active roster will give the defense a gigantic boost and could be the reason why the Dolphins pop some bottles at the end of the season.