Dolphins signing CB Kendall Fuller, a possible starter next to Jalen Ramsey

The Dolphins are signing former Washington Commanders cornerback Kendall Fuller, league sources told the Miami Herald, adding a possible starter next to Jalen Ramsey in 2024.

A source said the contract is a two-year deal worth up to $16.5 million.

Fuller, 29, is an eight-year veteran who just finished his second stint with Washington after being drafted by the team in the third round of the 2016 NFL Draft. This past season, Fuller started 15 games, recording 79 tackles, nine pass breakups and two interceptions. He allowed a career-worst nine touchdowns, according to Pro Football Reference, and his 120.4 passer rating allowed when targeted was the second-highest of his career. However, Washington’s defense struggled, though, allowing the most passing yards in the NFL.

Fuller began his career as a slot corner but has lined up as an outside cornerback in recent years. Miami was in search of a veteran cornerback after releasing Xavien Howard.

Fuller also spent two seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2018 and 2019 and won a Super Bowl with the team after being dealt in the trade that sent quarterback Alex Smith to Washington. Fuller has played 117 games with 93 starts in his career, recording 486 tackles, 75 pass breakups and 16 interceptions.

Dolphins general manager Chris Grier said at the NFL Scouting Combine that the team is bullish on 2023 second-round pick Cam Smith, who played just 20 defensive snaps as a rookie. But Grier said Smith would have to compete for a spot. With Fuller’s ability to play in the slot and modern defense’s high usage of nickel packages, Smith could compete with third-year player Kader Kohou for a starting spot at outside cornerback. Fuller could also play outside, while Ramsey moves around the field. New defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver said he intends to lean into Ramsey’s versatile skill set.

The Dolphins also re-signed cornerback Nik Needham, who played sparingly upon his return from a torn Achilles he sustained in October 2022. Needham has versatility, with the ability to play outside corner, nickel and safety.

Miami this week also signed former Buffalo Bills cornerback Siran Neal, but he has almost exclusively contributed on special teams in his career. Ethan Bonner, who appeared in three games and got snaps in the wild-card round game as an undrafted rookie, is also under contract for the 2024 season.

With the addition of Fuller, the Dolphins will likely field a secondary with two new starters in the 2024 season. Miami on Tuesday agreed to terms with former Bills safety Jordan Poyer. He is expected to form a new safety tandem alongside fourth-year player Jevon Holland amid the departures of Brandon Jones (Denver Broncos) and DeShon Elliott (Pittsburgh Steelers).

The start of free agency has been filled with considerable turnover on defense for the Dolphins, who also mutually parted ways with coordinator Vic Fangio after one season. The team released not only Howard but multi-year starters in inside linebacker Jerome Baker and defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah. Miami has also seen five defensive contributors — Jones, Elliott, defensive tackles Christian Wilkins and Raekwon Davis and outside linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel — agree to sign elsewhere.

But the Dolphins’ new-look defense is taking shape in terms of personnel. In addition to Fuller and Poyer, the Dolphins have signed inside linebacker Jordyn Brooks and agreed to terms with fellow inside linebacker Anthony Walker Jr. Brooks, who signed a three-year deal worth $26.25 million, is the likely replacement for Baker alongside David Long Jr. Miami has also agreed to terms with outside linebacker Shaq Barrett and defensive tackles Neville Gallimore and Benito Jones. The Dolphins are also re-signing Da’Shawn Hand, who was a reserve in 2023.

ESPN first reported the Dolphins are signing Fuller.