Could the Miami Dolphins Still Pursue Asante Samuel Jr?

The Miami Dolphins’ Cornerback Dilemma

The Miami Dolphins have a glaring hole in their cornerback room, left by the release of Kendall Fuller Jr. earlier this offseason. Their current group includes Jalen Ramsey, Kader Kohou, Storm Duck, Cam Smith, Ethan Bonner, and Jason Maitre—a young and largely unproven unit. While there is potential, the Dolphins need a high-level player with a veteran presence to line up opposite Ramsey, as Kohou is best suited for the nickel/slot role.

Miami just recently signed Artie Burns, but that move shouldn’t deter them from further addressing the position. Burns won’t compete for a top spot in this secondary as he has seen himself in and out of work the past few seasons and hasn’t recorded an interception since 2017. It may, however, indicate that the Dolphins would rather look to the NFL Draft to strengthen the cornerback room (Will Johnson).

One intriguing option via free agency is Asante Samuel Jr., a talented young cornerback who surprisingly did not receive a second contract with the Los Angeles Chargers. Just a year ago, retaining him seemed like a no-brainer. Now, he remains available, leaving many to wonder—could he be the right fit for Miami?

Asante Samuel Jr. Career History

Asante Samuel Jr. was selected by the Los Angeles Chargers with the 47th overall pick in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft out of Florida State University. Following in the footsteps of his father, former Pro Bowl cornerback Asante Samuel, he quickly made a name for himself as a key player in the Chargers’ secondary.

Los Angeles Chargers (2021–2024)

2021 Season: As a rookie, Samuel Jr. played in 12 games, starting all of them. He recorded 43 total tackles, 11 pass deflections, and two interceptions. His strong performances earned him recognition as one of the promising young defensive backs in the league.

2022 Season: In his sophomore campaign, Samuel Jr. solidified his role as a starting cornerback, appearing in 17 games with 15 starts. He improved his tackling numbers to 57 total tackles while adding 11 pass deflections, two interceptions, and one fumble recovery.

2023 Season: Samuel Jr. played all 17 games and started 16, continuing his development as a dependable coverage defender. He finished the season with a career-high 63 tackles, 13 pass breakups, and two interceptions. His ability to shadow top receivers made him a crucial part of the Chargers’ defensive unit.

2024 Season: Despite a coaching change and roster adjustments, Samuel Jr. remained a vital piece of the Chargers’ defense. Through four games, he recorded 13 tackles and two pass deflections before being sidelined by injuries and eventually having a falling out with the team.

Other Notes

• Tackling Concern – One poor trend over the past two seasons is a high missed tackle percentage. After having a great year as a tackler in 2022 (5.0%), he followed it up with a missed tackle percentage of 16% and 18.8%.
• Injury Concern? – Samuel’s end in Los Angeles was a strange one, as there were many conflicting reports between him and the team. Many speculate that there was a falling out behind the scenes. Here is what Samuel said: he was dealing with a shoulder injury that happened during practice in a collision before the Denver game. He mentioned that the shoulder injury is something he has dealt with since birth and has expressed his intention to return to the field in 2025 (@RealFRamirez/X).
• Big Time Playoff Game – Targeted 10 times, allowed 3 catches for 15 yards, and captured three interceptions.
• South Florida Native – Attended St. Thomas Aquinas in Ft. Lauderdale.
• Projected Value via Spotrac – 4 years, $47,460,000.

Is Miami the Right Fit?

A “prove-it” deal for Samuel would be my move—a low-risk, high-reward contract for both the Dolphins and Samuel (2 years, $20-22 million). For Samuel, it would be a fresh start in a new system where he gets to play across from one of the best corners in the league. For the Dolphins, it fills a glaring need with a young, hungry corner trying to reassert himself as a top defensive back.

Elite corners typically find new teams via trade or receive extensions from the teams that drafted them. That makes Samuel’s situation all the more intriguing. His unexpected departure from the Chargers and lingering injury concerns have left him still searching for a team. On the right deal, Miami seems like an ideal landing spot.

The Dolphins face a critical need at cornerback, and Asante Samuel Jr. could be the ideal solution. While Artie Burns may add depth, the team requires a proven, high-level player to complement Jalen Ramsey and solidify the secondary. Samuel’s youth, experience, and familiarity with the region make him an appealing choice, and his past performance shows that he can be a difference-maker. Despite the injury concerns and missed tackles, a “prove-it” deal with a low-risk, high-reward structure could allow Samuel to thrive in a fresh environment, re-establishing himself as one of the league’s top cornerbacks in Anthony Weaver’s defense. For the Dolphins, this move would not only address a glaring weakness but also provide a boost to their playoff aspirations. Miami seems like the perfect place for Samuel to make a significant impact—and for the Dolphins to enhance their defense.