The Miami Dolphins' patience for cornerback Cam Smith is wearing thin.
In the two years since the Dolphins made Smith their first pick in the 2023 NFL draft, the South Carolina alum has played more special teams snaps (265) than defensive snaps (153). After hardly seeing the field as a rookie under defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, Smith was sidelined for most of his second season due to hamstring and shoulder injuries that resulted in two stints on the injured reserve.
"Cam Smith needs to come through at the end of the day," Dolphins general manager Chris Grier told reporters at a press conference Tuesday. "He's got to stay healthy and be on the field. He's shown some flashes, but this is a very big year for him. He knows what's expected, because we can't hold his hand and wait for him anymore."
Smith's limited time on the field hasn't been promising either, though. The former second-round pick was credited by PFF with allowing 16 receptions on the 19 passes thrown his direction in 2024. He was also called for pass interference three times (once declined) and defensive holding once. Undrafted rookie Storm Duck drew half as many flags in more than double the coverage snaps.
When veteran Kendall Fuller was sidelined for three games with his second concussion of the season in the latter half of 2024, the Dolphins turned to Duck, who played 134 snaps during that stretch to Smith's 36.
In December 2024, Dolphins secondary coach Brian Duker suggested that conditioning was part of the problem for Smith.
“The biggest thing I've talked to Cam about is we would like to see him put on the body armor to play a full shape,” Duker said, via Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald. “He needs to be in shape to do that. Your body has to be in shape to do that.”
The Dolphins cut ties with Fuller earlier this offseason and appear set to trade Jalen Ramsey away. That would leave Duck, Smith, Kader Kohou, Ethan Bonner, and free agent acquisition Artie Burns as the team's top options at the position heading into the 2025 NFL draft.
This article originally appeared on Dolphins Wire: Dolphins GM issues harsh challenge to 2023 2nd-round pick CB Cam Smith
