The Miami Dolphins made the surprising move of going cornerback with their first 2023 draft pick, taking South Carolina’s Cam Smith in the second round, pick No. 51, Friday night.
They followed that up by drafting electric Texas A&M running back Devon Achane in the third round, at pick No. 84.
With more pressing needs at tight end and on the offensive line, it was unexpected the Dolphins’ first pick would come at the same position they bolstered with their marquee offseason acquisition, Jalen Ramsey via trade with the Los Angeles Rams.
“Cam’s a very talented football player, and we’re excited to add him,” said Dolphins general manager Chris Grier, who stood true to his traditional best-player-available approach. “It was the opportunity to, at that point in the draft, to add a really talented football player that fit.
“In this league, especially in the AFC with a lot of talented quarterbacks and teams, we can never have enough corners — as we experienced last year with the rash of injuries that we dealt with.”
Smith (6 foot 1, 180 pounds) had six interceptions in his four-year career with the Gamecocks, leaving for the draft as a redshirt junior. He ran a 4.43-second 40-yard dash at the NFL scouting combine. He’s touted for his length as a boundary cornerback, but scouts are concerned with his fluidity in coverage.
New Dolphins defensive coordinator Vic Fangio gets a cornerback that could fit the zone-heavy coverages he’s looking to incorporate on the back end of Miami’s defense.
“He’s a talented athlete. He’s versatile. He’s played a lot of outside. He’s played nickel. The football player and the instincts, we’re excited, said Grier. “We thought he was a good fit, and where he was in the draft, we just couldn’t pass on the opportunity.”
Grier actually ended up selecting a college teammate of his son, Landon Grier, who is a walk-on defensive back for South Carolina.
Smith said he didn’t have much contact with the Dolphins in the pre-draft process but did visit with the team. He said he’s able to play both outside and in the slot.
Earlier this offseason, the Dolphins paired Ramsey with the team’s own four-time Pro Bowl cornerback, Xavien Howard. Miami has Nik Needham returning from a torn Achilles to potentially compete with standout 2022 undrafted player Kader Kohou. The Dolphins also have veterans Keion Crossen, Justin Bethel and Elijah Campbell on the roster, along with 2020 first-round pick Noah Igbinoghene and 2021 undrafted prospect Trill Williams. Campbell also primarily plays safety on defense, along with special teams play, like Crossen and Bethel.
“It’s kind of a blessing,” Smith said of competing in a cornerback unit led by Ramsey and Howard, comparing it to working with Jaycee Horn and Israel Mukuamu early in his time at South Carolina. “Just coming in and doing the same thing with Jalen and Xavien is going to be even better then.”
Achane brings his 4.32-second 40-yard dash time to South Florida in an offense that already has elite speedsters at wide receiver in Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle and tailback Raheem Mostert. Achane’s 40 time was fastest among running backs at the combine and third-fastest overall.
“Speed, we generally like around here,” Miami coach Mike McDaniel said. “But I think it’s more of you feel like there’s a fit in terms of a guy fitting within your existing team.”
Grier said many within the organization liked Achane, but McDaniel, the offensive whiz of a head coach, was most convicted in his desire to bring him aboard.
Added Achane: “It’s going to be a real scary offense. … Coach McDaniel, when I had that talk with him, he was saying that he planned on building the fastest team in the NFL. So, by adding me to that piece, that’s something that’s, like, that’s a guarantee. So it’s going to be real fun and competitive at practice. I just can’t wait to get there.”
Achane, leaving to the draft after his junior season with the Aggies, ran for 2,376 yards, 21 touchdowns and a 6.4 rushing average. He caught 65 passes for 564 yards and five more touchdowns. Also contributing in the return game, Achane had two kickoff return touchdowns in his career.
At 5 foot 8 1/2, 188 pounds, Achane has been scouted as a fearless runner between the tackles despite his size. He said late Friday night that most of his runs at A&M were between the tackles.
Mammoth 6-foot-7 Georgia tight end Darnell Washington, a fan favorite, was available, but the Dolphins bypassed him twice Friday. Florida standout guard O’Cyrus Torrence, who went eight picks later to the division-rival Buffalo Bills, was also among those there for the taking at 51. Washington, who ultimately went to the Pittsburgh Steelers with the 93rd pick, reportedly fell due to concerns over a knee injury.
Grier didn’t sound too concerned over not adding a rookie tight end or offensive lineman with their first two draft picks.
“It doesn’t end with the draft,” Grier said. “There are still guys we’re talking to in free agency, on the streets. So, we’re still working through it, and we’ll keep adding the players that we think fit for us.”
Before Miami picked, the team watched potential draft targets in tight ends Sam LaPorta (Detroit Lions), Michael Mayer (Las Vegas Raiders) and Luke Musgrave (Green Bay Packers), offensive tackles Matthew Bergeron (Atlanta Falcons) and Cody Mauch (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) and interior offensive linemen in Steve Avila (Los Angeles Rams) and Joe Tippmann (New York Jets) go off the board.
The Dolphins mostly made out well in watching the 31 first-round draft picks Thursday. Explosive Alabama running back Jahmyr Gibbs, who had been linked to Miami, proved well out of reach when the Lions took him at No. 12.
The Dolphins made their first draft selection in the middle of the second round Friday because they didn’t have a first-round pick. Their top selection was stripped from them due to tampering violations in past pursuit of quarterback Tom Brady and coach Sean Payton. They also had a 49ers first-rounder from a previous trade that was dealt to the Broncos at last season’s trade deadline.
On Saturday, when Rounds 4 through 7 of the draft take place, the Dolphins have sixth- and seventh-round choices, Nos. 197 and 238, respectively.
While Grier said trade conversations were mostly dormant during Thursday night’s first round, the team was active in talks throughout Friday, although no move developed. Grier noted 2024 draft capital is something the franchise would like to protect in conversations.
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