Dolphins predicted to add former Vikings All-Pro defender to replace Jalen Ramsey

Ryan OLeary

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Dolphins predicted to add former Vikings All-Pro defender to replace Jalen Ramsey image

The Miami Dolphins emerged from the 2025 NFL Draft without a top cornerback prospect, unless you count fifth-round rookie Jason Marshall Jr. out of Florida.

That only makes Miami’s uncertain situation with superstar corner Jalen Ramsey more intriguing entering the team’s offseason program.

The Dolphins are still actively working with Ramsey in an attempt to find a trade partner, per NFL Nation reporter Marcel Louis-Jacques. If a post-NFL draft deal does come to fruition, the Dolphins will “need to introduce two new starting corners before the season begins," Louis-Jacques wrote recently for ESPN.

That means Miami could be looking to add on the secondary free agent market, as some starting-caliber options remain unsigned. One of those players is former Defensive Player of the Year Stephon Gimore, who operated as a starting boundary corner for the Minnesota Vikings in 2024 and could be available for the Dolphins to snag during training camp.

Sterling Xie of Pro Football Network believes the Dolphins should sign Gilmore regardless of how the Ramsey situation plays out. “The Dolphins and Vikings had very similar coverage tendencies in 2024,” Xie wrote for PFN. “Both ranked highly in percentage of two-high safety coverages (Vikings were first, Dolphins were seventh) and Cover-2 specifically (Vikings were second, Dolphins were fourth). 

“He’s not the long-term solution the Dolphins need, but Gilmore could lessen Miami’s immediate cornerback concerns.”

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Gilmore’s certainly not a game-changer at this point in his career, now entering his age-35 season. He does however represent a potential cheap, one-year option for the Dolphins, who could be working through some financial hurdles if Ramsey and his $24 million per year contract gets moved via trade in the coming months. Gilmore started 16 games for Minnesota in 2024, and could be in the Vikings’ offseason plans as well given Minnesota’s own needs at boundary corner.

The best part about Gilmore’s situation is that he’s likely in no hurry to sign a contract. He signed with Minnesota last year on Aug. 18, well after the start of training camp. At this point in his 13-year pro career, Gilmore's likely seeking a pass on some of the mandatory offseason workout stuff, which could work out well for Miami if it needs to pivot to veteran cornerback in a pinch.

Other well-known names are currently unsigned, such as Asante Samuel Jr., Rasul Douglas, Jack Jones and Shaq Griffin,  another former Viking from the 2024 season. But the experience and potential cheap price tag on Gilmore could end up making sense for Miami as a short-term option this year.

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Ryan OLeary

Ryan O'Leary has spent his entire professional career in sports multimedia, working as journalist, editor, podcaster, and in live events as a content manager and show emcee. His career highlights include working as a podcast host and audio editor for USA TODAY Sports Media Group, where he led a series of NFL podcasts for the company’s top-performing NFL sites. A born and raised New Englander, Ryan’s career kicked-off in newspapers after graduating from the University of New Hampshire with a degree in journalism. He developed an affinity for small-town youth, high school and college sports, while also realizing his childhood dream of covering the Patriots in multiple AFC Championship Games. Ryan enjoys kicking it with family and friends, beating his dad and brother in chess, and arguing with anyone crazy enough to insist that Tom Brady isn’t the GOAT.