Dolphins looking for answers in questionable secondary

That feisty, physical nature is what could make him a candidate to play the nickel when Miami goes to five defensive backs, which would put a lot on his plate switching inside and out as a rookie coming into the NFL out of San Diego State.

“I think he’ll tell us whether or not he’s ready for that,” Downard said. “And we’ll find it out as we go here with more time with him.”

“He’s in the fold there,” added cornerbacks coach Jahmile Addae. “There’s some other young defensive backs that we’re working with, just to try to figure out who has the ability to service us both inside and outside. So, quite frankly, that’s a little bit of a fluid situation.”

Last year, the Dolphins, under previous defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver, leaned plenty on veteran safety Minkah Fitzpatrick to play the nickel. He has since been traded to the New York Jets.

Needing a quick fix to start the year after Kader Kohou went down with a preseason ACL tear, the previous staff tried rookie Jason Marshall Jr. as a nickel. That’s one thing the new staff doesn’t appear inclined to do.

“I see him just more as an outside corner,” Duggan said.

Added Downard: “Our nickel has got to be physical in the box. Whoever’s going to be in that position is going to have to be strike blockers, get off, make tackles. (Jason) can do that, but I think his coverage traits are top-notch. We said that when he was coming out (in the 2025 draft). He stuck out to us on the tape when he was coming out as a corner. So we never really looked at him as a nickel.”

In free agency, the Dolphins also found veteran starting experience in Darrell Baker, formerly of the Tennessee Titans.

“He’s an elder statesman,” Addae said. “He’s been through it, you can tell. And so with that, he has a different lens that he sees things through. … I think in our room, he’s one of those guys that the younger guys can attach themselves to.”

Addae added fellow cornerback JuJu Brents has looked good coming back from injury this offseason, as Storm Duck, while exhibiting he has a sharp mind for the position, is a little behind Brents in his recovery.

The Dolphins also need a pair of starters to emerge from the safety group. Downard spoke highly of rising second-year player Dante Trader Jr.

“Very promising. I love Trader,” Downard said. “He’s extremely focused on getting better in every little facet. He brings an element of physicality and play style, which we look for in the safeties. And he’s very intelligent. He can process. He, too, understands what we’re trying to get done and is able to make all the checks in the defense.”

The former Packers defensive assistants now in Miami had Zayne Anderson with them in Green Bay as he surfaced as a formidable reserve option. Downard highlighted how he always prepared like a starter, even when he wasn’t.

The Dolphins also signed veteran Lonnie Johnson, whom Downard touted for his size as a safety who still moves well.

In the draft, Miami picked up Texas safety Michael Taaffe in the fifth round, and linebacker Kyle Louis possesses versatility to play safety.