One of the Dolphins’ most scrutinized position groups is set to host their fiercest roster battle of 2025 training camp

The cornerback situation in Miami is filled with unknown behind fourth-year defender Kader Kohou. The safety situation is filled with intrigue. Miami is returning Minkah Fitzpatrick as a key part of their trade with Pittsburgh, bringing the Dolphins' 2018 first-round draft choice full-circle with his NFL career. Ifeatu Melifonwu was a versatile defensive weapon for Detroit in 2023 but his availability has been limited. He played in just three games in 2024. Ashtyn Davis has struggled to successfully wrangle a starting job in New York with the Jets on what has been a very good defense. But he does have good ball production with five interceptions over the last two seasons despite playing just under 500 total snaps on defense. 

Miami also hosts two young draft choices from recent years at safety. 2024 rookie Patrick McMorris was one of the hottest names of the preseason before an injury cost him the majority of his rookie year. The team also drafted safety Dante Trader Jr. out of Maryland with one of their three fifth-round draft choices in this year's NFL Draft. 

Veteran safety Elijah Campbell has been with the team since 2021 as a core special teamer. He offers a plethora of experience in this regard and is well-liked internally by the coaching staff. Campbell has gotten some sparing opportunities as a third-safety over the last two years.

In all, it gives the Dolphins six total safeties that warrant consideration to make the 53-man roster when the team cuts down at the end of the preseason. Carrying six safeties on the 53-man roster is almost unheard of, which means at least one intriguing option will almost assuredly be on the outside looking in. Both McMorris and Trader Jr. were recent draft choices and are cut from the same cloth. They're not overly dynamic athletes but they're smart, physical players who support the run and tackle. Are their skill sets redundant? Do the Dolphins lean into that cost-controlled pedigree and prioritize both? 

Melifownu and Davis signed in free agency — getting $2.45 million and $1.23 million guaranteed respectively. Those aren't "nothing" guarantees, meaning they're likely safe as well. 

The addition of Fitzpatrick creates a domino effect that could stack up at the bottom of this depth chart dramatically. It's possible that the two recent draft picks and Elijah Campbell are fighting things out for two, if not one, spot on the final roster. It will be an intense battle which will impact multiple phases of the team, including both defense and special teams. 

No, this isn't the most star-studded unit in football. Yes, the cornerback situation still offers major questions. But intense battles like these are exactly the kind of stakes you want on the line for those final spots on a roster every year. The question now is who steps up to deliver.