MIAMI, FL / CLEVELAND, OH – August 26, 2025 – The NFL landscape continued to shift on Tuesday as teams finalize their rosters ahead of the upcoming season. The Miami Dolphins made a significant addition to their secondary by signing veteran cornerback Rasul Douglas, while the Cleveland Browns executed multiple key transactions, acquiring offensive lineman KT Leveston via trade and releasing wide receiver Diontae Johnson.
In South Florida, the Dolphins announced the signing of Douglas to a one-year contract worth $3 million. This move addresses a critical need for Miami, which has been hit hard by injuries at the cornerback position during the offseason. Douglas, 30, brings a wealth of experience and a reputation as a capable defensive back, having spent recent seasons with the Buffalo Bills.
Dolphins Bolster Secondary with Veteran Presence
Rasul Douglas is set to join the Miami Dolphins on a one-year deal worth $3 million, according to multiple reports. The acquisition comes as Miami navigates a challenging cornerback situation, exacerbated by season-ending injuries to Kader Kohou and Artie Burns, and the earlier release of veteran Mike Hilton. With Kendall Sheffield also sidelined, Douglas is expected to step into a starting role and provide immediate veteran stability.
Douglas, who turns 30 on August 29, comes to Miami after a stint with the Buffalo Bills. In the 2024 season, he played in 15 games, starting all of them, and recorded 58 total tackles (43 solo), five pass deflections, and one forced fumble. He also earned a PFF grade of 59.2 for the season. Throughout his eight-year career, Douglas has demonstrated his ability to contribute, accumulating significant tackle, pass deflection, and interception totals. His previous experience includes time with the Philadelphia Eagles, Carolina Panthers, and Green Bay Packers before landing in Buffalo. Douglas’s familiarity with the AFC East and his ability to play zone coverage are seen as assets for the Dolphins’ defensive scheme under coordinator Anthony Weaver.
The Dolphins’ roster moves signal a proactive approach to shoring up a defense that has seen considerable turnover. Douglas’s signing is viewed as a pragmatic step to enhance competition and depth in the secondary as the team prepares for its Week 1 matchup.
Browns Revamp Offensive Line and Receiving Corps
Meanwhile, the Cleveland Browns have been active in reshaping their roster. The team has traded for offensive lineman KT Leveston from the Los Angeles Rams, sending a 2028 seventh-round pick in return. Leveston, a 6-foot-4, 336-pound guard, was a seventh-round selection by the Rams in the 2024 NFL Draft. He spent his rookie season on injured reserve and did not play in any games but showed promise during the 2025 preseason, earning strong PFF grades, particularly in pass protection, which likely caught the Browns’ attention.
Leveston joins a Browns offensive line tasked with protecting quarterback Joe Flacco and developing rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders. His addition provides the Browns with additional depth and competition as they finalize their offensive front.
In a more notable move impacting their receiving unit, the Browns released veteran wide receiver Diontae Johnson. Johnson, who signed with Cleveland on a one-year deal this offseason, has experienced a tumultuous period in his career since leaving the Pittsburgh Steelers. After a productive start to his career in Pittsburgh, including a Pro Bowl season in 2021, Johnson has bounced between the Carolina Panthers, Baltimore Ravens, and Houston Texans in the past 18 months. In 2024, he played for three different teams, recording a career-low 33 catches for 375 yards and three touchdowns. His brief tenure with the Browns saw him catch two passes for 19 yards in the preseason. The release of Johnson, a talented player who has struggled with consistency and off-field issues, raises questions about his future in the NFL, as this marks his sixth team in less than two years.
Dolphins Face Injury Setbacks
The Dolphins also received injury news as safety Daijahn Anthony has been placed on the short-term injured reserve list due to a hamstring injury. This designation means Anthony will be sidelined for at least the first four games of the 2025 season, further thinning the depth at safety for Miami.
These transactions underscore the critical period of roster construction across the league as teams navigate final cuts and injuries, aiming to build competitive squads for the upcoming NFL season. The additions and subtractions made by the Dolphins and Browns reflect strategic decisions to address team needs and manage salary cap implications in preparation for the start of regular-season play.
