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Rolling The Dice

Originally posted on Dolphins Talk | By Chris Oliver | Last updated Jul 6, 2025 8:50 PM ET

Rolling the Dice

The 2025 Miami Dolphins find themselves in a fascinating, if precarious, position following a series of headline-making roster moves that have significantly reshaped the team’s identity on both sides of the ball.

In a bold move that sent shockwaves across the league, Miami traded All-Pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey and tight end Jonnu Smith to the Pittsburgh Steelers in exchange for star safety Minkah Fitzpatrick and a future draft pick. While the trade brought Fitzpatrick back to the franchise that originally drafted him, it also created two critical voids that could define the Dolphins’ season.

Fitzpatrick is undeniably one of the league’s elite defensive backs. His return gives the Dolphins a dynamic presence on the back end of the defense. However, while Fitzpatrick strengthens the secondary, he does not solve the team’s most pressing concern: the lack of a true boundary corner to replace Ramsey.

Jalen Ramsey’s departure leaves a gaping hole at one of the game’s most demanding positions. During his time in Miami, Ramsey provided tough coverage and veteran leadership at corner, consistently taking on opposing No. 1 receivers. Without him, the Dolphins are left with a cast of young and largely unproven cornerbacks.

While the young corners have shown flashes of potential, none has demonstrated the consistency or skill set needed to take on top-tier NFL wideouts week in and week out. The front office is now expected to explore veteran options to fill the void, as relying solely on in-house development would be a gamble in a loaded AFC.

On the offensive side, the departure of Jonnu Smith appeared at first to create another serious problem. Smith had one of the best seasons ever by a Dolphins tight end in 2024, recording 88 receptions for 884 yards and eight touchdowns. He was a key piece of Mike McDaniel’s offense and one of Tua Tagovailoa’s most reliable weapons, especially in the red zone. Initially, it looked as though Miami would be left with a tight-end group consisting of Julian Hill, Pharoah Brown, and Tanner Conner.

In a surprising and strategic follow-up move, the Dolphins made a separate trade with the New York Giants to acquire veteran tight end Darren Waller, who will come out of retirement to reunite with Miami offensive coordinator Frank Smith, his former tight ends coach during his breakout years with the Raiders. Waller, though recently retired, brings a high ceiling if he can stay healthy. When at his best, he is a matchup nightmare for defenses, combining elite size, athleticism, and route-running ability. The familiarity with Smith should help Waller get up to speed quickly and could re-establish him as one of the league’s more dangerous tight ends.

Altogether, the Dolphins’ offseason has been marked by bold moves and calculated risks. The defense is now highlighted by Fitzpatrick in the secondary. Offensively, the addition of Waller helps mitigate the loss of Smith, and the rest of the unit, anchored by Tagovailoa, Tyreek Hill, and Jaylen Waddle, remains dangerous. Still, Miami’s success in 2025 may hinge on its ability to find stability at boundary cornerback and to keep Waller healthy and productive throughout the season.

With training camp on the horizon, the Dolphins remain one of the most compelling teams in the NFL. Their ceiling is high, but the margin for error has narrowed. Whether this retooled roster can rise to meet expectations will depend on how well the new pieces come together and whether the void left by Ramsey can be effectively filled before the season kicks off.

This article first appeared on Dolphins Talk and was syndicated with permission.

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