NFL analyst called Miami Dolphins the best fit for a crucial free agent who could become a difference maker for 2025 outlook

The Miami Dolphins managed to fill some holes on their roster this offseason, particularly on both sides of the line of scrimmage in the free agency and draft.  However, there's still a major issue to be resolved by general manager Chris Grier this offseason, and that's a cornerback room devoid of experience and proven talent.  With Jalen Ramsey very likely to be shipped out of town via trade, the Dolphins are still looking to find two starters before the 2025 season begins. 

ESPN NFL analyst Matt Bowen sees a possible solution for the Dolphins still out there in free agency in former Los Angeles Chargers CB Asante Samuel, Jr. Bowen put out a list of who he sees as a "best team fit" for remaining free agents, and the Dolphins were his choice for the former Chargers second round pick. 

This is what Bowen had to say about the Dolphins and Samuel, Jr.: 

With Jalen Ramsey potentially getting traded, Samuel could boost the Dolphins' secondary. Miami is currently relying on Kader Kohou, Artie Burns, Storm Duck, Cam Smith, Ethan Bonner and rookie Jason Marshall Jr. to fill out the rest of the CB room.

When healthy, Samuel has a playmaking mentality at cornerback and uses sudden closing speed to break on the ball. That fits in a Miami defense that played Cover 2 on 27.3% of opponent dropbacks last season, the fourth most in the league. Samuel has the traits to pattern match in man, too. A shoulder injury limited him to four games in 2024, but Samuel had six interceptions and 26 pass breakups in four seasons with the Chargers. - Matt Bowen, ESPN

Samuel, Jr. missed all but four games in 2024 with a shoulder injury, but that's been more the exception than the rule in his first four years.  He appeared in 12 games in 2021 but played in all 17 in 2022-23. Over his four-year career, he's totaled 176 combined tackles, 6 interceptions, and 37 passed defended. 

While pass rushing ability and tackling haven't been his calling cards - no sacks and a career missed tackle rate of 16.7% per PFF - he's been sound in coverage and would be a clear upgrade and a much-needed proven option for the Dolphins. 

Of course, it always comes down to the dollar, and the Dolphins don't exactly have a ton of space to work with right now. A lot of that depends on what the Dolphins do with Jalen Ramsey and how much of the dead cap hit they take on in 2025 versus 2026, which is determined by whether they trade him before or after June 1. 

As of now, per OverThe Cap.com, the Dolphins have $13.7 million to play with in cap space.  Spotrac projects Samuel, Jr.'s market value at 4-years, $45.9 million, but at this point in the offseason, it doesn't seem likely that a team with pay that kind of money. If Samuel, Jr. is looking for a one year "prove it" deal, then perhaps he and Miami indeed could perhaps sense for each other.