Dolphins Day 3 Rookie ‘May Be In Line’ To Make Surprise Start In Week 1
The Miami Dolphins‘ – to put it kindly – “improvised” cornerback situation has been a thing much-covered by media outlets for the duration of this offseason.
Ever since Jalen Ramsey and the organization “mutually agreed” to seek a trade back in April, concerns have been levelled about the position’s strength and depth on the roster.
Ramsey was subsequently traded at the end of June, and a month later the team lost both starting and backup slot corners, Kader Kohou and Artie Burns, to season ending knee injuries.
The organization bought in AFC North veteran nickel, Mike Hilton, and former Patriots and Raiders boundary corner, Jack Jones, but it could be that neither end up starting.
Dolphins Rookie Looks To Be Set For Big Year 1 Role
Jones is set to potentially get beat out by high performing ex-Falcons fourth round pick, Kendall Sheffield, whilst rookie Jason Marshall Jr. – selected in the fifth round of April’s draft – could win the starting job over Hilton, in a very surprise move, according to Joe Schad of The Palm Beach Post.
“Jason [Marshall Jr.] started for the Dolphins in the slot.” Schad wrote on Saturday, “He started alongside Storm Duck and Jack Jones and may be in line to start the opener at Indianapolis, ahead of veteran Mike Hilton. Marshall has good physical tools and has demonstrated instincts and ability to tackle, even though he’s never played slot before.”
Hilton is an experienced veteran and a great locker room presence, but that does not necessarily mean that the organization will be intent on keeping him as the starter if they can sense high level potential from one of their younger, up-and-coming players in Marshall.
Head coaches and general managers – especially ones on the hot seat – like Mike McDaniel and Chris Grier – are always incentivized to play and develop younger talent that they themselves have drafted, as they can use them as empirical proof of success. Especially if those players come on the third day of the draft.
What Will The Dolphins Cornerback Situation Look Like In Week 1?
Marshall Jr. is hardly set at nickel back, and Hilton could well still be the favorite to land the starting role come the season opener on September 7th against the Indianapolis Colts.
But it looks like, if he continues to impress for the last couple of days of camp – and gives the coaching staff faith that he can be steady – that he might be the guy in the slot for large parts of the upcoming season.
On the outside, Storm Duck is set to feature opposite one of either Sheffield or Jones – although former undrafted free agent, Ethan Bonner, is not out of the mix just yet.
However it ends up shaping out, Miami’s secondary will need considerable help if it is to become just an average unit in 2025.
Warriors’ complications with Jonathan Kuminga-Malik Monk Kings trade
The NBA offseason is basically over despite restricted free agency situations, like Jonathan Kuminga's, remaining unsolved.
With players and team personnel taking much-needed vacations with family and friends in August, everyone will turn their attention to training camp and preparing for the preseason after Labor Day at the start of September. For Kuminga and the Golden State Warriors, the focus remains on finding a resolution to his restricted free-agency standoff.
Before free agency began, the goal from both parties seemed simple: find another team in a sign-and-trade.
Although the Warriors, especially owner Joe Lacob, have remained high on Kuminga's development and potential, it has become clear over the last year that the 22-year-old is ready to move on.
Between his inconsistent minutes and reports of the 22-year-old ‘losing faith' in Steve Kerr and then not even seeing the court late in the 2024-25 season, all roads this offseason led to Kuminga and the Warriors parting ways.
It also didn't help that the two sides were very far apart in contract extension negotiations before the 2024-25 season.
While Kuminga would likely remain with the Warriors for the time being if he were to receive an offer in the $30 million per year range, that has not been presented to him. Kuminga and his camp's main goal entering the offseason was to secure financial security for the coming years.
That goal quickly changed given the hardships faced from the Warriors, as Kuminga doesn't appear to have any desire to return and again see an inconsistent role that stunts his overall development.
As good as he could be in this league, Kuminga will never be at the forefront of the Dubs' plans as long as Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler, and Draymond Green are present. As a result, Kuminga and his camp have spoken at length with several teams around the league about a sign-and-trade.
The Sacramento Kings have loomed large as the former seventh pick's top suitor.
Breaking down Kings' offer for Jonathan Kuminga
What was expected to be a vast market for Kuminga this offseason ultimately never took shape.
The Miami Heat, a rumored suitor for Kuminga entering the summer, never truly pursued him. Much of the same could be said about the Chicago Bulls, given their situation with Josh Giddey being a restricted free agent.
Although the Warriors and Bulls spoke briefly at the start of free agency about Kuminga, it became clear that Chicago was focused on solving Giddey's contract situation and keeping him before turning their attention to anything else.
At no point did the two sides discuss a Kuminga-Giddey swap, nor are the Warriors actively pursuing the Australian guard.
Another team that has expressed interest in Kuminga via a sign-and-trade is the Phoenix Suns. But one of the factors in a potential sign-and-trade from Golden State's perspective is that they don't want long-term salary, and that's all the Suns have to offer with Grayson Allen and Royce O'Neale.
It is also worth mentioning that the Milwaukee Bucks were another team that kicked around the idea of pursuing Kuminga. If they were to do so, the Warriors made it known they would want Bobby Portis in a sign-and-trade scenario, which is something Milwaukee wasn't willing to do.
The Dubs have held interest in Portis dating back to before the 2024 NBA trade deadline.
And so that leaves the Kings as the sole destination for Kuminga if a sign-and-trade were to develop at this point in the offseason. Still, the Warriors have shown great hesitation in these trade negotiations, as they are taking full advantage of the fact that Kuminga is a restricted free agent.
If the trade isn't to their liking, Golden State won't make a deal. That is where things stand with the Kings after their latest offer.
Sacramento believes in Kuminga's potential and value, which is why they are willing to commit to a three-year, $63 million contract for him. Obviously, this would need to be a sign-and-trade, as the Kings are about $7 million from their first apron hard cap.
After originally offering Dario Saric, Devin Carter, and a protected first-round pick, the Kings shifted their offer to Malik Monk and a 2030 first-round pick with protections, according to Sam Amick of The Athletic.
That is the offer that stands now — Monk and a protected first-round pick for Kuminga.
Even if the Warriors get what they want in terms of an unprotected first-round pick, is this enough for Golden State to finalize a trade? Their fans may think so given Monk's scoring abilities coming off the bench, but there is more that goes into this potential sign-and-trade than a one-for-one transaction.
