After a tumultuous offseason marked by the departure of several key starters, the Miami Dolphins’ secondary remains a significant area of concern.
These concerns intensified this week after a series of untimely injuries during training camp, further depleting an already thin cornerback group. In response, the Dolphins entered the free agency market and signed two top cornerbacks available.
Miami Dolphins Finally Address Secondary Need, Sign Two Free Agent Cornerbacks
This offseason, the Dolphins parted ways with 2024 starters Kendall Fuller and Jalen Ramsey, shedding two veteran cornerbacks as part of a sweeping overhaul of their secondary.
Fuller was released in February, while Ramsey was traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers just last month in exchange for safety Minkah Fitzpatrick and draft compensation. The move signaled a shift in Miami’s defensive philosophy and left a significant void at cornerback.
That void deepened when veteran Artie Burns suffered a torn ACL on the first day of Dolphins training camp, sidelining him for the entire 2025 season. Burns had been expected to compete for playing time and provide veteran leadership in a young and evolving secondary.
An MRI confirmed an ACL tear for Dolphins CB Artie Burns, who now is expected to miss the 2025 season, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 24, 2025
In response, the Dolphins signed veteran cornerback Jack Jones in the early hours of July 26.
Jones wasted little time making his presence felt, suiting up at Dolphins training camp and breaking up a pass during his first practice just hours after inking a one-year deal.
Free-agent CB Jack Jones, who started 16 games last season for the Raiders, is signing a one-year deal with the Miami Dolphins, per source.
Jones now returns to the AFC East, where he used to start for the Patriots in 2022-‘23. pic.twitter.com/CRJRDG00NS
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 26, 2025
Jones’ NFL journey has been complicated by off-field issues, including a suspension by the New England Patriots for violating team rules, missing curfew during a road game, and a 2023 arrest at Boston’s Logan Airport for reportedly carrying loaded firearms in his luggage.
On the field, Jones started 16 games for the Las Vegas Raiders in 2024, recording 69 tackles (52 solo), three interceptions, 16 pass breakups, and one defensive touchdown.
While Jones brings starting experience to Miami’s secondary, his performance has been inconsistent in recent seasons. According to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, Jones allowed eight touchdowns in coverage last season and permitted 11 completions of over 20 yards.
He has 7 INTs in three NFL seasons, and Pro Football Reference says his career passer rating against is a very good 84.9. Perhaps the Dolphins can get him back to how he played his first couple of seasons. He has 21 NFL starts. https://t.co/AROFFjNMYd
— Barry Jackson (@flasportsbuzz) July 26, 2025
To complicate matters further, presumed CB1 Kader Kohou limped off the field with a right leg injury during the July 26 training camp session.
This prompted the Dolphins to sign veteran cornerback Mike Hilton immediately after practice.
More DB help in Miami: Former Bengals CB Mike Hilton is signing a one-year deal with the Dolphins, per @DrewJRosenhaus and @NFLrecord.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 26, 2025
Hilton’s signing could be an ominous sign for Kohou, though the severity of his injury is currently unknown. Hilton has built a respected NFL career as a versatile slot corner, appearing in over 120 games since entering the league as an undrafted free agent in 2016.
Although the Dolphins reportedly fell short in their pursuit of free agent Rasul Douglas, the additions of Jones and Hilton provide a solid backup plan for a team desperate for experienced starting cornerbacks.
