After a season-ending injury to Artie Burns, the Dolphins are making two veteran additions to their cornerback room.
The first is former Patriots and Raiders cornerback Jack Jones in a signing made official on Saturday, per a team announcement. Jones started 16 games for the Raiders last season and led the team with three interceptions and 16 passes defended.
The second, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, is veteran slot corner Mike Hilton. Hilton started 23 games over the last two years as the Bengals’ primary nickel, a role he has held in both Cincinnati and Pittsburgh over the last eight seasons.
Cornerback has long been a need for Miami, even before the team traded Jalen Ramsey to the Steelers. Jones primarily plays on the boundary, where he will likely compete for a starting job, while Hilton could be the starting nickel right away if Kader Kohou moves outside. Kohou also appeared to suffer a minor injury in Saturday’s practice, per NFL Network’s Cameron Wolfe.
Jones, a 2022 fourth-rounder, began his career with the Patriots and started two games as a rookie. He was cut five games into the 2023 season after disciplinary issues in New England and claimed off waivers by the Raiders. Jones earned a starting job in Las Vegas by the end of the year and continued it into 2024 but was released by the Raiders in April, presumably as part of the roster turnover that comes with regime change.
Originally an undrafted free agent signing by the Steelers, Hilton is one of the league’s most experienced nickels. His 36 career starts don’t properly represent his contributions, as he maintained a snap share around 60% during his four years in Pittsburgh and stayed above 70% for his next four in Cincinnati. His last two seasons were arguably his best, racking up 13 passes defended and 157 tackles with a whopping 24 tackles for loss.
Hilton earned grades of 77.4 and 75.9 from Pro Football Focus (subscription required) in 2023 and 2024, respectively, his two best marks outside of his breakout rookie season. With a slew of younger corners on the roster, however, the Bengals declined to retain Hilton when his contract expired this year.
The Dolphins waived Ryan Cooper Jr. in a corresponding move to their signing of Jones. Cooper appeared in one game for the Ravens last year and finished the season on the Seahawks’ practices squad.
you say the Bengals in the lede, did you mean Dolphins ?
It’s a player swap thing. FIFA style.
Since Hilton has been a Bengal for the last four seasons, I’ll assume that it’s Miami.
At the Dolphins’ home games,
After the National Anthem,
The theme from “The Love Boat”
Will be sung by JACK JONES !!
The Dolphins announced that
now that the team has an inside connection
when on the road the team will now be
staying at HILTON Properties.
The Bears have a similar arrangement with Bates Motel.
Knew Hilton wouldn’t be on the market long. One of the best slot corners in the game if he’s still got it.
Jones is a guy who obviously seems to have discipline issues off the field every year.
The problem with jones isn’t the off the field issues. As a Raider fan his problem was he was hit or miss. Think of him as a slugger in baseball. He’s going to strike out, walk or hit a HR. That’s jack jones. I liked his swagger and he has the old school Raider mentality but I think teams want more of a contact hitter (to use a baseball reference). Someone more consistent.
The term you’re looking for is gambler.
Asante Samuel is probably the best example of a gambler at CB I can remember.
He does gamble. But he’s a lot more swing and a miss than a hit. I’m talking a lot more. That’s why I went with the baseball reference. He reminds me of an old A’s player. Ironically same first name. Jack Cust.
Guy would hit 20-30 HRs but strike out like 200 times. That’s Jack Jones.
Wow.. this dolphins secondary is going to be an absolute dumpster fire.