Miami Dolphins’ Kendall Fuller ready to play with fellow teammate Jalen Ramsey

The Miami Dolphins are replacing veteran cornerback Xavien Howard with Kendall Fuller, who will play alongside All-Pro Jalen Ramsey, continuing the trend of the former 2016 NFL Draft in their defensive backfield.

Howard has been one of the premier cornerbacks in the league during his time in South Florida, which leaves some big shoes to fill regardless of his production over his final two seasons.

Defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver is confident Fuller will be a more than adequate replacement for Howard.

“You’re talking about a guy that has a huge football IQ, knows his skills, can take all the advance information that’s given to him and then apply it,” Weaver said. “He’s played in every cover scheme known to man. Just his vet sense, his presence, the professionalism that he shows every day is going to have a huge influence on all of these guys. Then when you combine the two with Jalen Ramsey and the influence he can have in some of the younger corners that we have, the Cam Smiths of the world, the Ethan Bonners – I’m so grateful he’s here.

“He’s such a calming presence there at cornerback.”

Fuller said he was a fan of Howard and had his eyes on Howard and Ramsey as colleagues from 2016. Ramsey was the fifth overall pick in that draft, Howard was selected early in the second round and Fuller was a third rounder. selection.

Fuller looked up to Ramsey and Howard, but now he says his “biggest thing” is going to play football.

Fuller called Ramsey, a likely future Hall of Fame player and praised the Dolphins cornerback room. He said there was also camaraderie.

“This week (of minicamp), we all hung out a lot and stuff like that,” Fuller said. “Jalen and I both came into the league at the same time, played with some players, shared some of the same coaches. So just laughing and talking about all that and stuff like that. It’s going to be fun just to getting to know everyone, not just the players but the staff, the equipment staff, everything like that.”

Ramsey said he wishes Howard “could still be a part of the team,” but he understands that “business is business.”

“But Kendall and I have loved high school for a long time,” Ramsey said. “So he’s my guy too. It’ll be fun to team up with him.”

The Dolphins have seen four defensive backs from the 2016 NFL Draft take the field in South Florida, with Eli Apple playing for the Dolphins last season. Another cornerback from that 2016 draft class, Mackensie Alexander, spent time with Miami in training camp in 2022 but ended up on injured reserve.