The veteran CB market just shifted again — here’s what it means for the Dolphins’ search amid ongoing bid to replace Jalen Ramsey

The Miami Dolphins' waiting game at cornerback continues. 

As Miami waits to execute a potential trade of veteran Jalen Ramsey and subsequently sign an additional cornerback to take his place, it's been a slow market for veteran cornerbacks without a team everywhere. Today saw the next domino fall, however. The Seattle Seahawks agreed to terms on a one-year contract with veteran cornerback Shaq Griffin, reuniting the pair after four seasons apart. 

Seattle drafted Griffin with the 90th overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft and Griffin made a Pro Bowl in Seattle back in 2019 before ultimately leaving in free agency after his rookie contract. 

What it means for the Dolphins

The roster transaction holds several prominent notes for the Miami Dolphins and their own looming need at cornerback. The first and most obvious one being that Griffin is now a name off of the available free agent list — making him the next player to make a summer commitment at cornerback after fellow former Pro Bowler Jaire Alexander signed with the Baltimore Ravens early last week. 

The second notable development for Griffin and Seattle that impacts the Dolphins? The price. Alexander was reported to have taken less money to sign in Baltimore to play with the Ravens and the speculation amid his signing, with a $4 million base salary plus incentives, was that it may trickle down and negatively impact the rest of the veteran cornerbacks looking to land a deal. 

That is indeed the case for Griffin — the terms of his one-year contract included a $3 million base plus an additional $1 million in incentives, giving him a maximum value of $4 million for the season ahead. That's good news for Miami amid their ongoing search for the right veteran cornerback to plug in once a Jalen Ramsey transaction is finalized. The cost is digestible. 

But some are getting anxious that Miami will wait too long to secure a viable veteran option worth signing, especially with Griffin now moving off the free agent board. But Dolphins fans getting apprehensive can take some solace in knowing the veteran that Miami has shown the most interest in is still out there. That would be former Buffalo Bills cornerback Rasul Douglas, who Miami reportedly had in for a free agent visit earlier this summer. Douglas also reportedly received an offer from the Dolphins but chose to wait to see what else the market may hold for him. 

The team Douglas visited after his stay in Miami? None other than the Seattle Seahawks, who obviously did not close the deal either and have now made a commitment to Griffin. That should, presumably, take them out of the running for Douglas' services this season. 

Time to get moving

First thing is first for Miami. They need to get the Ramsey business done. It's possible that most of the Dolphins' other business efforts this summer are waiting on more clarity on what they're going to have to pay out to Ramsey in order to offload him from the roster. Depending on the payout, it could impact the Dolphins' budget for a veteran corner (although Griffin's contract is promising), their effort to extend tight end Jonnu Smith and more. 

There's no need to panic just yet. But the tide is starting to turn and the Dolphins would be wise to feel some urgency to grease the wheels and get some business going sooner rather than later.