Dolphins place tender on Kader Kohou as free agency looms for cornerback

The Miami Dolphins announced a restricted free agent tender for Kader Kohou om Saturday.

The start of the 2025 NFL free agency period is just days away. The “legal tampering” period, officially known as the negotiating period, begins on Monday, while the official start to the signing period – and the 2025 NFL league year – is on Wednesday, March 12, at 4 p.m. Eastern. The Miami Dolphins announced a move on Saturday that could aid them in keeping one of their players into next season.

Cornerback Kader Kohou is set to be a free agent, but with just three years of experience, some restrictions can be placed on his ability to sign with a new team. The Dolphins have the right to use a qualifying tender on Kohou, making him more likely to return to Miami than to leave in free agency.

Three levels of tenders can be used: first-round, second-round, or right of first refusal. With any of the qualifying offers, the free agent player is still able to sign with another team, but the new team has to provide compensation back to the new team (first- and second-round tenders) or allow the original team a chance to match the contract. A first-round tender brings a salary of around $7.5 million this season, a second-round option has a $5.3 million salary, and a right of first refusal tender guarantees a $3.3 million salary. All tender salary information via OverTheCap.com. If a restricted free agent does not receive a tender, the becomes an unrestricted free agent

The Dolphins announced they were using the right of first refusal tender on Kohou.

Kohou joined the Dolphins as an undrafted free agent out of Texas A&M-Commerce in 2022. He has played in 47 games in his three seasons, starting 38. He has 180 career tackles, along with 28 passes defensed, three interceptions, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and a sack.

He recorded a career-high two interceptions in 2024 in 15 games played with nine starts. He has proven to be a solid depth option at cornerback for the Dolphins and is establishing himself as a strong nickel cornerback. Miami has salary cap issues this season, likely leading to the team using the lowest of the tenders with hope that they can keep Kohou in South Florida for another season.

Miami has two other restricted free agents heading into this offseason. Reports indicated on Friday the team was not planning to tender linebacker Quinton Bell. There has not been any indication of the team’s plans for wide receiver Anthony Schwartz.

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