The Miami Dolphins made the unexpected move of going cornerback with their first 2023 pick in the NFL draft, taking South Carolina cornerback Cam Smith at No. 51; here are some things to know about the Dolphins’ second-round pick:

Pos./round: 51/2

School: South Carolina

Year: Junior

Ht.: 6-1 Wt.: 180

Hometown: Blythewood, S.C.

Comment: Smith has length as well as press coverage skills but the scouting reports say he’s better suited for zone coverage, which is what new defensive coordinator Vic Fangio likes to play. …

Smith is aggressive with good ball skills. …

He’s not afraid to come up and make tackles. …

Smith started nine of 11 games last year and recorded 27 tackles, one interception and five pass breakups. …

In 2021, he made seven starts and had 41 tackles after missing fall camp due to foot surgery. …

Smith has the skills to be a starting cornerback. …

This year he’ll be playing alongside starters Xavien Howard, Jalen Ramsey, Kader Kohou, Nik Needham, and Keion Crossen, among others. …

Cornerback is strongest, deepest position on the team with two Pro Bowl players (Howard and Ramsey), two promising youngsters (Kohou and Needham) and a veteran (Crossen). …

Smith joins a secondary that seems well-prepared to face AFC East quarterbacks such as Buffalo’s Josh Allen, New York’s Aaron Rodgers and New England’s Mac Jones. …

Smith said he plans on learning to play the outside (boundary) and then moving inside (slot). …

Smith said he didn’t consider himself an NFL prospect until before his junior season, when he had a child on the way. He said he began taking things more seriously and the game became a bit easier. …

Smith said he didn’t have much contact with the Dolphins before the draft but made a visit to Miami.

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