What on Earth are the Miami Dolphins doing? They already had one of the weakest cornerback groups in the NFL after trading away Jalen Ramsey. Now, they’ve fully leaned into their shakiness in the secondary by releasing veteran Mike Hilton.
The move makes no sense, especially for the Dolphins.
But the Buffalo Bills might be able to benefit from their rival’s incompetence if they act quickly.
Bills need to move fast to sign Dolphins’ castoff Mike Hilton
Hilton isn’t the presence he once was. In 2024, he posted a career-low in pass break-ups and allowed his worst ever passer rating. But he still has something to contribute to an NFL defense.
The 31-year-old plays primarily in the slot, where he’s still able to stick with receivers and help out against the run.
The Bills could benefit in a big way from Hilton’s services. Taron Johnson is currently set to start at nickelback. Johnson is a capable starter, but Brandon Codrington is listed as his backup. Codrington is primarily a return man, and he barely played on defense last season.
In fact, he only played 70 total defensive snaps in 2024. In that limited sample size, he posted a PFF coverage grade of just 50.5. If Johnson misses time, Codrington isn't a reliable backup.
Hilton could immediately step in as Buffalo’s second nickel corner with a chance to contribute on the outside as well. If the Bills can find the money to sign him, this is a no-brainer.
Obviously, Hilton isn't a long-term solution. This would likely be a one-year deal with the hope that he can add value to the defense. Moving forward, this would still be an area to address through the draft or free agency. But the Bills can't afford to have a hole like this on their roster if they want to push for a Super Bowl again. We saw last year how defensive depth was a major issue, especially against playoff-caliber teams.
Buffalo has already spent resources on fixing their secondary this offseason. The team signed Tre'Davious White and Dane Jackson and spent a first-round draft pick on Maxwell Hairston. Jackson could play slot cornerback in a pinch, but he struggled heavily in coverage last season. If they can get him, Hilton would be a big upgrade to the Bills' defense.
But they’ll have to move fast to make it happen. Starting-caliber defenders don’t hit the open market often, especially at this time of year. Several other teams will certainly pursue a deal with Hilton. Hopefully, Brandon Beane is already picking up the phone.