Dolphins mercifully waive one of their most disappointing draft picks, closing the book on a costly misstep they’re still paying for
The Cam Smith era in Miami is, mercifully, over.
That’s all, folks!
Sometimes these things just aren’t meant to be. And for the Miami Dolphins and the 2022 and 2023 NFL Drafts, the damage is already done. Miami has made an informality official this afternoon, too — with the announcement that the team has waived former second-round draft choice Cam Smith from the Non-Football Illness list. He’ll be subject to waivers and, if he clears them, become a free agent.
Dolphins end disastrous run for Cam Smith in South Florida
Cam Smith was Miami’s only top-75 draft choice in both the 2022 and 2023 NFL Drafts combined. The 51st-overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft as a cornerback out of South Carolina, Smith spent his rookie season in Vic Fangio’s doghouse before enduring two separate stints on injured reserve in 2024. The Dolphins saw numerous cornerbacks lap him in the pecking order for playing time despite his draft status, which loomed as a major red flag that something was amiss.
Even this offseason, with Miami’s lingering needs at cornerback, the buzz was centered around Artie Burns, Kader Kohou, and 2024 undrafted rookie Storm Duck. Not Smith.
Miami Dolphins 2022 & 2023 NFL Draft Classes
- LB Channing Tindall, 102nd overall (2022)
- WR Erik Ezukanma, 125th overall (2022)
- EDGE Cameron Goode, 224th overall (2022)
- QB Skylar Thompson, 247th overall (2022)
- CB Cam Smith, 51st overall (2023)
- RB De’Von Achane, 84th overall (2023)
- WR/TE Elijah Higgins, 197th overall (2023)
- OT Ryan Hayes, 238th overall (2023)
Smith battled bumps and bruises again this summer in training camp but appeared to show some signs of progress through the final opportunities he had in Miami’s second and third preseason games. But upon the arrival of roster cuts, Smith was designated on the Non-Football Injury list, where he’s spent the first four weeks of the season before finally being waived.
Sometimes these things just don’t work out. That happens. But when you, as a franchise, commit to so few picks over such an extended period of time, you better hit the picks you do make. The Dolphins missed on Smith badly.
Among the names drafted after him in the 2023 NFL Draft, Miami certainly could have used a tight end like Tucker Kraft (78th overall), a wide receiver like Josh Downs (79th overall), or a pass rusher like Tuli Tuipulotu (54th overall). Instead, Miami will have two years of frustration and a lingering long-term need at cornerback. But this experience is mercifully over, which is the first step to finding an alternative solution.
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