Cam Smith will never have a better opportunity to seize a starting job in the NFL than right now. The Miami Dolphins are sorely hoping he can rise to the occasion.
A second-round draft choice from the 2023 NFL Draft, Smith's first two seasons as an NFL player have been anything but a success story. Smith appeared to clash with defensive coordinator Vic Fangio during his rookie season in 2023, with undrafted free agent Ethan Bonner getting run over Smith throughout the course of that season. In 2024, Smith had two separate stints on injured reserve — struggling to anticipate route breaks and keep his eyes in the right place when he was on the field.
The Dolphins have delivered a very clear message to Smith this offseason. His general manager stated in the spring that "we can't hold his hand anymore". Will Smith grow up before their eyes amid a massive opportunity in 2025? Here are the possible paths forward for Cam Smith amid a critical third year as an NFL talent in Miami.
He grows up better late than never
The perfect scenario for the Dolphins is Cam Smith wakes up for the start of 2025 training camp, remembers he's a second-round draft choice and plays like it. Miami has traded Jalen Ramsey , leaving fourth-year cornerback Kader Kohou as the lone established starter entering 2025. Smith, during his play at South Carolina, played both inside and outside — offering the kind of versatility that the Dolphins showed a desire to use with their corners in 2025.
What needs to happen for Smith to have his play click into place? Head coach Mike McDaniel referenced his eyes during minicamp.
"So much of defensive back play, so much of defensive play particularly in coverage is something that I don’t hear anybody talk about – eye discipline. That from every play, how you align, your body posture, where your eyes are and your consistent variables that you can rely on when you’re having to think about other things, he has jumped into to that full force. So he is getting real stuff out of every day."
- Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel on Cam Smith's work at minicamp
He honeypots the Dolphins into complacency in 2025
This outcome plays out more like the 2024 season for Smith — where injuries end up derailing any positive momentum the team sees during training camp. This is, arguably, the worst case scenario for the Dolphins. If Miami doesn't sign a veteran between now and the start of training camp, the veteran pool of corners could dry up pretty quick.
In this world, Smith flashing and then subsequently battling injuries for the second consecutive season could leave Miami out in the cold and in the worst possible position at cornerback.
More of the same...
The Dolphins have shown interest in multiple veteran cornerbacks and should be expected to ultimately sign one — bumping Smith down the totem pole to start the season. This outcome is a blend of high-level flashes, painstaking inconsistency, and too much separation at the top of routes when he's given the chance to play. Thanks to a crowded room of cornerback contenders behind Kohou, including Smith, this is probably the most likely scenario.
With Smith under contract through 2026 and on the books for less than $2 million in cap commitments, his raw talent faces an easy road to a roster spot even if he doesn't make the leap the Dolphins have nudged him towards.
Gets lapped by the field, Dolphins take an exit strategy?
There is a world, albeit it a long shot, in which Cam Smith could not be on the roster in 2025. Moving on from Smith is easy from a cap perspective – he has no guaranteed salary remaining and would net Miami just a $1.05 million dead cap charge. Here's what would need to happen:
- Miami needs to sign a veteran cornerback, such as Rasul Douglas, Stephon Gilmore or Asante Samuel Jr. entering training camp
- The Dolphins need several names, such as 2024 UDFA Storm Duck, 2025 fifth-round draft choice Jason Marshall Jr. and one other name to out-perform Smith consistently through training camp and the preseason
- A team must come calling with intrigue on a potential reclamation project and be willing to trade a draft choice or player for a two-year flyer on Smith
It's unlikely that Miami cuts Smith after two seasons as a top-60 draft choice. But for the right offer amid a crowded room of youngsters, perhaps Smith is the player Miami could parlay into a different personnel opportunity. Before you say "never", just remember that the Dolphins managed to find a trade partner for Noah Igbinoghene, the team's failed 2020 first-round draft choice. This is an unlikely outcome, but one that can't be ignored if Smith struggles again amid the Dolphins' encouragement to grow up in 2025.
