Can the Miami Dolphins rely on second-year cornerback Storm Duck with questions in the secondary?
The Miami Dolphins have a top-tier cornerback in three-time All-Pro Jalen Ramsey but enter the offseason with not much else in the secondary.
Starting safeties Jordan Poyer and Jevon Holland are set to hit free agency next month. Boundary corner Kendall Fuller was released after starting 11 games last season, and multi-year starting nickel corner Kader Kohou enters the offseason as a restricted free agent.
With more questions than answers and limited resources to replenish the roster, growth from part-time players is key to Miami’s playoff return in 2025. Appearing in 14 games as an undrafted rookie, injuries forced cornerback Storm Duck into three starts last season.
Duck, 24, logged 35 tackles and four passes defended for the Dolphins. Opposing quarterbacks completed 24 of 33 pass attempts for 251 yards and a touchdown when targeting him, according to PFF. Despite strong performances against New England and San Francisco, he closed the season with two missed tackles in back-to-back weeks, finishing with nine overall.
How much did the Dolphins want Louisville cornerback Storm Duck? They gave him a $20,000 signing bonus and $150,000 guaranteed, per source. Multiple Dolphins staff members called and he picked Miami over a dozen other offers. He’s a boundary (outside) corner. Had 5 INTs in 4…
— Barry Jackson (@flasportsbuzz) April 28, 2024
The Dolphins were one of 12 teams interested in him after he went undrafted as a fifth-year player at Louisville, but offered a $20,000 signing bonus and $150,000 guaranteed to land him.
Duck was named second-team All-ACC in 2022 at North Carolina before transferring to Louisville. He appeared in 12 games as a redshirt senior with 32 tackles and a sack for the Cardinals. NFL Analyst Lance Zierlein cited Duck’s lack of top-end speed and struggles in run support as to why he wasn’t drafted.
Miami’s depth at cornerback includes former second-round pick Cam Smith and former undrafted free agent Ethan Bonner. Still, they combined to appear in 11 games with no starts last season.
The Dolphins need a full-time starter across from Ramsey, and the front office will take swings at addressing this in free agency and the draft. Duck projects to enter his second season as a trustworthy role player but may have opportunities to earn a larger role as Miami’s secondary takes shape.
