Dolphins GM's critical comments could signal 2025 NFL Draft first-round plans

On Tuesday, Miami Dolphins general manager Chris Grier refused to mince words when discussing second-year cornerback Cam Smith. His comments could signal Miami's 2025 NFL Draft plans during the first round next Thursday, April 24.

"Cam Smith needs to come through at the end of the day," Grier said. "He knows what's expected because we can't hold his hand and wait for him anymore."

The 2023 second-round pick (No. 51 overall) appeared in six games a season ago after suffering a preseason hamstring injury and a season-ending dislocated shoulder. Through his first two NFL seasons, Smith has appeared in 21 games and has more on special teams (265 snaps) than on defense (153 snaps). (h/t Pro Football Reference)

Per NFL Pro data, in 112 total coverage snaps since his rookie year, Smith has allowed 18 receptions on 22 targets (81.8 percent) for 195 yards (10.8 yards per reception). Of the first 10 defensive backs selected during the 2022 NFL Draft, Smith is the only one who has yet to record an interception.

With the Dolphins recently adding cornerback Jalen Ramsey to the trade block, Smith has the opportunity to alter his career arc. However, it would be organizational malpractice for Miami to roll with Smith without a backup plan.

With their first-round pick (No. 13 overall), the Dolphins will likely seriously consider adding a cornerback. Will Johnson and Jahdae Barron are the best non-Travis Hunter cornerbacks in the class, and one of the two (or both) could be available at No. 13.

Per ESPN Analytics' Draft Day Predictor, Barron is the most likely of the two to be obtainable, with Johnson having a less than 50 percent chance of being on the board by the time Miami makes its selection.

Johnson is a consensus top 20 prospect on big boards from Pro Football Focus (No. 14), ESPN (No. 12), NFL.com (No. 6), Sports Info Solutions (No. 8) and The Athletic's Dane Brugler (No. 18).

Per Brugler, Johnson (6-foot-2, 194 pounds) "projects as a day one starting outside cornerback," while the slightly undersized Barron (5-foot-11, 194 pounds) is viewed by some teams as a nickel corner.

With slot corner Kader Kohou returning, that might be an issue. Nevertheless, Barron's extensive background playing zone fits defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver's scheme.