In an interesting move, the Miami Dolphins have cut cornerback Cam Smith. This decision likely marks the premature end of his time in South Florida, given that this is only his third NFL season. Smith, a former second-round pick, was forced to get over a lot. He fought through plenty of injuries and could never seem to win the confidence of head coach Vic Fangio.
Having proven himself at the University of South Carolina, Smith joined the Dolphins. He was the full-time starter for two years and garnered 2nd-team All-SEC accolades in 2021 & 2022. As a rookie in 2023, he was available for 15 games. Though he flashed talent and had some decent run-defense production, he was unable to claim a meaningful spot in the defensive front’s rotation.
Despite a clear opportunity for increased playing time following the Dolphins’ decision to release veteran cornerback Will Fuller and trade for Jalen Ramsey, Smith encountered significant hurdles. General manager Chris Grier publicly challenged Smith to improve his performance, emphasizing the importance of health and availability in professional football.
“Cam Smith needs to come through at the end of the day. He’s got to stay healthy and be on the field,” – Chris Grier.
During the 2024 season, Smith went through a gauntlet of injuries that kept him on the sidelines most of the year. He spent the first seven weeks on injured reserve and missed nearly all of training camp. When he did finally return, he didn’t waste time getting back into the swing of things in six games. In doing so, he notched just 133 defensive snaps, a career-high. He ended up behind Kendall Sheffield and Storm Duck on the depth chart. This embarrassment hurt his chances even further of winning a larger leadership role.
Grier acknowledged that Smith had flashed abilities in the past, but he stressed that this year was the “make or break” season for him.
“He has shown some flashes, but this is a very big year. He knows what’s expected because we can’t hold his hand and wait for him anymore,” – Chris Grier.
Now that he’s been released from the non-football illness list, Smith’s future in the NFL is once again very much up in the air. As he moves on to the next chapter of his career, the challenges he faced in Miami serve as a reminder of the demanding nature of professional football and the importance of resilience in overcoming adversity.
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