Dolphins Continue to Add Depth Players

The Miami Dolphins picked up another veteran Wednesday morning, and once again it's a complementary player with extensive special teams experience.

The Dolphins agreed to terms with cornerback Justin Coleman, who recently was released by the Detroit Lions, per a league source. The move was first reported by NFL Network reporter Tom Pelissero.

Former #Lions CB Justin Coleman has agreed to terms with the #Dolphins on a one-year deal worth up to $2.75 million, per source.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 17, 2021

Coleman spent two seasons with Detroit after signing a four-year contract worth $36 million as an unrestricted free agent in 2022.

Coleman has experience covering the slot but more importantly perhaps playing on special teams.

In his two seasons with Detroit, Coleman started 16 games, including five in 2020 when he spent several weeks on injured reserve because of a hamstring injury.

Based on advanced stats, Coleman did not have a very good 2020 season, with opposing quarterbacks posting a 135.0 passer rating when targeting him, according to pro-reference.com.

Coleman has started 29 games in six NFL seasons, with a high of 11 in his first season in Detroit in 2019.

We got a comprehensive scouting report on Coleman from SI All Lions Editor John Maakaron.

Veteran Justin Coleman, the former Patriots and Seahawks defensive back, had an impressive beginning to his career and was an intriguing free agent target of former general manager Bob Quinn.

Coleman proceeded to ink a four-year, $36 million contract with Detroit — one of the richest contracts ever given for a slot corner. The veteran defensive back had a solid first year for the Lions, but did not live up to his expensive contract.

In his first season in Detroit, Coleman played in all 16 games and recorded 54 total tackles, three forced fumbles, and one interception. He was fairly productive, but still not what Detroit was looking for. In his defense, he did have to play out of position at times as a result of ex-Lions corner Darius Slay missing time due to injury. It forced Coleman to have to slide into Slay's role as a cover corner — not a strong suit of Coleman's and it showed.

With the departure of Slay, the pressure fell even more on Coleman to perform at a high level. He was now joined in the cornerback's room by veteran Desmond Trufant, who signed with Detroit last offseason, and 2020 first-round pick Jeff Okudah.

Unfortunately, he was oftentimes used on the outside and he just struggled. The decline in his performance was not coincidental. If I can offer the defense one piece of advice: Keep Coleman in the slot at all times and hope he aims to prove doubters wrong. He signed a 'prove-it' deal, so let's see what he has left.

Prior to his time in Detroit, Coleman played two years with the Seattle Seahawks and two with the New England Patriots.

He first came into the NFL as a rookie free agent with the Minnesota Vikings in 2015, but was released and joined the Patriots, where his cornerbacks coach was current Dolphins defensive coordinator Josh Boyer.

After two seasons with New England, Coleman was traded to the Seattle Seahawks in September 2017 for a seventh-round pick.

In his first season with the Seahawks, Coleman had two pick-sixes, his first NFL touchdown coming on a 28-yard interception return against new Dolphins quarterback Jacoby Brissett, at the time with the Indianapolis Colts.

Coleman joins a Dolphins cornerback corps that is led by Xavien Howard and Byron Jones and also includes 2020 starting slot corner Nik Needham, 2020 first-round Noah Igbinoghene, and Jamal Perry.

While Coleman has more experience, one would think that Needham would remain as the top slot corner barring another addition.

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