As the end of August approaches, so does the end of the 2024 preseason, and for many players, the chance of making an NFL roster ends with it. With the regular season inching closer, players whose positions are up in the air are hoping that another impressive performance will be what swings the chances of locking in a roster spot in their favor. In Miami, there are multiple defensive backs with their eyes on a spot in a crowded room.
Storm Duck
The undrafted rookie out of Louisville has made an instant impression on the Dolphins from the moment he was signed back in April. His name is often what catches attention first, but his play is what’s kept him around in Miami. The former Cardinal has totaled five tackles in the Dolphins’ secondary and deflected two passes this preseason.
His play in the second game against the Washington Commanders earned him Player of the Game honors from Pro Football Focus. He played 38 snaps, 30 of which were in pass coverage, and didn’t allow a single catch in three targets. He’s stuck to receivers in each game so far. He’s allowed just one catch in nine targets between the first two games combined, earning a 39.6 passer rating against, good for fifth best in the entire NFL this preseason.
Duck played five seasons in college, four of which were with the University of North Carolina before transferring to Louisville his final year. He totaled 135 tackles, five interceptions and 24 pass breakups throughout his college career. Duck himself said his “consistency” in games was most likely what saw him go undrafted, but despite that, his consistent play with the Dolphins has him on the verge of a roster spot.
Isaiah Johnson
Johnson is another undrafted rookie who often shows up for Miami throughout training camp and the preseason. The corner player collegiately at Syracuse and Dartmouth is big for the position at 6’3″, making him an attractive prospect to help cover bigger receivers in today’s pass-heavy game. He’s compiled nine tackles this preseason and was all over the field against the Commanders in Miami’s second game, finishing second on the team in total tackles. In Miami’s first game, he was in coverage on the final play that clinched Miami the win.
He’s also been as stingy in the passing game as his teammate Duck has been, posting an identical 39.6 passer rating against. Johnson played two seasons at Syracuse after transferring over from Dartmouth. He totaled 188 tackles, 14 pass breakups, 2.5 sacks and three interceptions across his college career. He went undrafted likely due to concerns about his speed and adjustment ability at the next level, but his physicality and grasp of the defense have him in the thick of the race to notch a spot on the roster.
Two for One
The Dolphins will likely keep seven corners when the roster has to be trimmed to 53 on August 27. Jalen Ramsey, Kendall Fuller, Kader Kohou, Cam Smith, Ethan Bonner, and Siran Neal are seemingly locked to make the team. That leaves one spot for Duck or Johnson to grab as their own. The other will likely quickly be signed to Miami’s practice squad unless they’re signed to another team’s active roster. Whoever notches the final spot will see the majority of their early playing time on special teams, but with the physicality of the NFL, they’ll see time in the secondary at some point. While both have been impressive through camp and preseason, Miami’s final game against Tampa Bay might very well be the last shot either Duck or Johnson gets to show they belong in the NFL.
