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Dolphins Add Local Talent at Cornerback, Search for Starter Continues

The Miami Dolphins have agreed to terms with former University of Miami cornerback Artie Burns

Alain Poupart

Detroit Lions wide receiver Josh Reynolds (8) catches a pass for touchdown in the first quarter in front of Chicago Bears cornerback Artie Burns (25) at Ford Field in 2021.=
Detroit Lions wide receiver Josh Reynolds (8) catches a pass for touchdown in the first quarter in front of Chicago Bears cornerback Artie Burns (25) at Ford Field in 2021.= / David Reginek-Imagn Images
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The Miami Dolphins stayed close to home to add more competition to the cornerback room, but the search for a clear starter opposite Jalen Ramsey continues.

The team has agreed to terms with former University of Miami star Artie Burns, per multiple reports.

Burns played in 2024 for the Seattle Seahawks, his third team since entering the NFL as a first-round pick of the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2018.

Burns was the 25th overall selection in that draft thanks to his good size (6 feet, 187) and great speed, but it hasn't helped him deliver in the NFL.

In 90 NFL games over eight seasons, Burns has recorded four interceptions along with 38 passes defensed. Since 2018, he has allowed an opponent rating of 124.3 when targeted.

After the Steelers declined to pick up his fifth-year option for the 2020 season, Burns sustained a torn ACL and spent that whole year on injured reserve.

He left for the Chicago Bears as an unrestricted free agent, spending one season with that team before moving to Seattle as a UFA.

He began the past two seasons with the Seahawks on the practice squad, though he was eventually signed to the active roster in 2023.

Burns spent all of 2024 on the Seattle practice squad, though he was elevated for four games. He performed very well in those four games, allowing only three completions on the seven times he was targeted, per Pro Football Reference.

THE DOLPHINS CORNERBACK ROOM

Burns joins a group of Dolphins cornerbacks who will compete for roles and playing time, alongside Ramsey and nickel corner Kader Kohou.

The group includes Ethan Bonner, Storm Duck, recent waiver claim Roy Cooper Jr. and 2023 second-round pick Cam Smith, as well as 2024 practice squad members Isaiah Johnson and Jason Maitre.

It's almost a certainty the Dolphins will pick up a more established cornerback at some point to handle a starting role, and that player could come via free agency or the 2025 NFL draft.

What is clear is the Dolphins want an established player to replace veteran Kendall Fuller, who was released in mid-February after one season with the team.

DOLPHINS 2025 FREE AGENT SCORECARD
as of Monday, March 17, 12 p.m.

Agreed to terms (11)
QB Zach Wilson (Denver)
G James Daniels (Pittsburgh)
OL Larry Borom (Chicago)
S Ifeatu Melifonwu (Detroit)
WR Nick Westbrook-Ikhine (Tennessee)
S Ashtyn Davis (N.Y. Jets)
LB K.J. Britt (Tampa Bay)
RB Alexander Mattison (Las Vegas)
TE Pharaoh Brown (Seattle)
P Ryan Stonehouse (Tennessee)
CB Artie Burns (Seattle)

Re-signed (7)
DT Matt Dickerson
S Elijah Campbell
OLB Quinton Bell
LB Tyrel Dodson
G/T Jackson Carman
WR Dee Eskridge
OL Liam Eichenberg

Lost to another team (6)
WR Braxton Berrios (Houston)
G Robert Jones (Dallas)
S Jevon Holland (N.Y. Giants)
TE Jack Stoll (New Orleans)
LB Anthony Walker Jr. (Tampa Bay)
DT Da'Shawn Hand (L.A. Chargers)

Remaining UFAs (16)
QB Tyler Huntley
RB Jeff Wilson Jr.
WR River Cracraft
WR Anthony Schwartz
WR Grant DuBose
T Kendall Lamm
G Isaiah Wynn
DT Calais Campbell
DT Benito Jones
EDGE Emmanuel Ogbah
EDGE Tyus Bowser
EDGE Cam Brown
LB Duke Riley
CB Siran Neal
S Jordan Poyer
LS Jake McQuaide

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Alain Poupart
ALAIN POUPART

Alain Poupart is the publisher/editor of Miami Dolphins On SI and host of the All Dolphins Podcast. Alain has covered the Miami Dolphins on a full-time basis since 1989 for various publications and media outlets, including Dolphin Digest, The Associated Press and the Dolphins team website. In addition to being a credentialed member of the Miami Dolphins press corps, Alain has covered three Super Bowls (for NFL.com, Football News and the Montreal Gazette), the annual NFL draft, the Senior Bowl, and the NFL Scouting Combine. During his almost 40 years in journalism, which began at the now-defunct Miami News, Alain has covered practically every sport at one time or another, from tennis to golf, baseball, basketball and everything in between. The career also included time as a copy editor, including work on several books, such as "Still Perfect," an inside look at the Miami Dolphins' 1972 perfect season. A native of Montreal, Canada, whose first language is French, Alain grew up a huge hockey fan but soon developed a love for all sports, including NFL football. He has lived in South Florida since the 1980s.

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