Earlier this offseason, the Miami Dolphins exercised the right of first refusal tender on their starting nickelback, Kader Kohou. This move rendered Kohou a restricted free agent, enabling the Dolphins to match any offers he might receive from other teams.
During a recent episode of The Dive Bar Podcast, Kohou conveyed his dedication to the Dolphins, mentioning, “Being a restricted free agent this year isn’t like the usual process of negotiating with multiple teams.” He further elaborated, “The Dolphins hold all my rights. They’ve sent a tender, and I’m preparing to sign it soon.”
Kohou took the field as a starter in nine out of 15 games he played in for Miami last season, amassing 45 tackles (33 solo), two interceptions, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, three tackles for loss, and eight defended passes. Throughout his three-year NFL career, Kohou has accumulated 180 tackles (148 solo), one sack, two fumble recoveries, two forced fumbles, three interceptions, and 28 passes defended.
Although his stats might not appear particularly remarkable on paper, Kohou has proven to be a crucial component of Miami’s secondary. Following a fluctuating season in Vic Fangio’s system in 2023, he demonstrated marked improvement under the guidance of current Defensive Coordinator Anthony Weaver last season.
While the contract isn’t official until signed, re-signing Kohou for the $3,263,000 tender would be an ideal outcome for the Dolphins. Aside from standout cornerback Jalen Ramsey, Miami’s cornerback roster lacks depth, with available players including Storm Duck, Cam Smith, Ethan Bonner, and Artie Burns. Retaining Kohou at that cost is an obvious decision for the Dolphins.