Dolphins’ New Acquisition: Ryan Cooper Jr.’s Path to Miami’s Cornerback Corps
Everything You Need to Know About Cooper
The Miami Dolphins recently made waves by claiming cornerback Ryan Cooper Jr. off waivers from the Seattle Seahawks. While Cooper Jr. may not be a household name in the NFL, his addition is crucial for the Dolphins, who are in need of bolstering their cornerback depth for the upcoming season.
Cooper’s football journey began when he joined the Baltimore Ravens after going undrafted in the 2024 draft out of Oregon State. Although he spent most of his time on the Ravens’ practice squad during his rookie season, he managed to make an appearance in one game, where he didn’t record any stats. Subsequently, Cooper signed a reserve/future contract with the Seattle Seahawks, only to be released by the team recently.
During his college years at Oregon State, Cooper showcased his skills in 23 games, accumulating 82 tackles, 1.5 sacks, four interceptions, and 22 passes defended. Prior to his time with the Beavers, he honed his craft at the College of San Mateo for two seasons. Standing at 5-11 and weighing 192 pounds, Cooper primarily operated in the slot position at Oregon State, amassing significant playing time in that role over the past two seasons. Given his physical attributes and experience, deploying him in the slot could be a strategic move for the Dolphins.
Where Miami’s Cornerback Room Stands
The cornerback position has emerged as a subtle yet significant need for the Dolphins this offseason. While veteran Jalen Ramsey remains under contract, the departure of Kendall Fuller, who featured in 11 games last season, has left a void in the team’s defensive backfield. Additionally, with Kader Kohou, the starting slot cornerback, being a restricted free agent, and Siran Neal hitting unrestricted free agency, the cornerback roster is undergoing considerable flux.
Currently, the Dolphins have only a handful of cornerbacks under contract for the upcoming season. Cam Smith, Storm Duck, Ethan Bonner, and Ramsey are the notable names on the list. Smith’s injury history raises concerns, while Duck and Bonner, both undrafted free agents, are yet to make significant on-field contributions. In this scenario, Cooper could potentially serve as a replacement for Kohou or assume a valuable backup role within the cornerback corps.
For Cooper to secure a spot on the final roster, he will likely need to showcase his skills on special teams and make a strong impression during training camp. While Cooper is the first cornerback addition for the Dolphins this offseason, the team is expected to make further moves to fortify their defensive backfield in the coming weeks.
