The Miami Dolphins have upgraded their secondary significantly this offseason.
They started by adding former Dallas Cowboys cornerback Byron Jones in free agency.
Miami also addressed the need in the 2020 NFL Draft, taking University of Auburn cornerback Noah Igbinoghene in the first round.
These upgrades led to some high praise from two longtime NFL front office executives and former NFL scout Matt Williamson, according to the Miami Herald.
One of the front office executives went as far to say that the cornerbacks are the “part of their team which is playoff-caliber.”
It’s a good sign for a Miami team that allowed the seventh most passing yards in the NFL last season.
Williamson believes that Jones along with cornerback Xavien Howard, who signed a five-year, $76.5 million extension at the end of last year, are the “strength of the team.”
He was also a fan of the Igbinoghene selection at No. 30.
“The first round was about getting high value premium positions – corner, left tackle,” Williamson said. “So you might as well build on a strength, which they did.”
The second front office executive thinks that the rookie has the potential to be an impact player from day one.
“That’s obviously a really good group,” he said. “I think Igbinoghene has a really good chance to start opening day [in nickel packages with Howard and Jones].”
Pro Football Focus gave the Dolphins the lowest coverage grade of any team in 2019.
Adding Jones and Igbinoghene should help them make a leap in those rankings in 2020.
