INDIANAPOLIS — Before the Dolphins suffered season-ending losses to Buffalo and Kansas City, I asked Vic Fangio what rookie cornerback Cam Smith needed to do to take a positive step as a more regular contributor.

"Just improve in all areas," said Fangio, who was as brutally candid as Simon Cowell. "Assignment. Technique. Execution. Know-how. Just a little bit in all areas.”

Fangio listed pretty much everything but mastering Fangio's famous meatballs recipe.

Now, Fangio is gone.

Off to Philly, where he can hold back some other young, talented cornerback.

When the Fangio news came out, Smith posted the "unlocked" emoji on X.

Smith, the 51st overall pick in last year's NFL draft, had the 27th-most snaps among defensive players last season.

Twenty-seventh!

Inconsistent veteran cornerback Eli Apple played 547 snaps.

Longtime special teamer Justin Bethel played 124 snaps.

Someone named Parry Nickerson played 84 snaps.

Coming off an Achilles injury, Nik Needham played 71 snaps.

Even Kelvin Joseph — acquired for cornerback bust Noah Igbinoghene and eventually cut — played 21 defensive snaps.

Incredibly, all those players had more than Cam Smith's 20 snaps on defense.

Was Smith on lockdown? You could say that again.

Look, it must be noted here that Smith has first-round physical abilities and slipped to the second round for a reason.

Some of his college coaches cited a need for maturation.

And it should be noted that Miami coaches even suggested that they needed Smith to arrive on time and perhaps even stay later to study.

Smith must take those notes to heart, even if those former coaches have left.

Cam Smith goal: Earn Miami Dolphins' trust

This week, general manager Chris Grier mentioned Kader Kohou as a potential competitor to Smith now that Pro Bowler Xavien Howard is on the way out.

Miami does not want to just hand a starting job to Smith.

But, let's be honest here, they pretty much should.

NFL scouting combine 2024: It's deep at CB

When the Dolphins are on the clock at No. 21, there is a decent chance that one of Alabama's Terrion Arnold and Kool-Aid McKinstry or Iowa's Cooper DeJean will be staring Grier in the face.

It's hard for Grier to pass on talented corners because — like quarterbacks and edge rushers — that's the position NFL clubs want most to financially reset with rookie contracts due to the outlandish inflation in free agency.

We're going to suggest Grier think strongly about passing.

We're going to suggest Miami turn to Cam Smith.

Yes, if there is a safe center/guard or guard/tackle or edge rusher on the board, go in that direction, Mr. Grier.

Grier told us Jalen Ramsey believes Smith is going to be a good player.

Grier told us Smith has been working out hard and working out early.

Grier knows what he's saying.

He knows what's been said about Smith and he knows he wants to set expectations that he expects Smith to meet.

NFL draft 2024: With Cam Smith, Dolphins could pass on CB

Smith has the prototypical size. And speed. And strength.

Last spring, Smith demonstrated outstanding agility, ball skills and instincts.

In-season, Fangio did not trust him to not make a huge mistake in a huge spot.

How do we know? The man basically told us Smith was not ready to be an American Idol.

But now the Dolphins have too many holes to plug.

There are too many potential free agents. And not quite enough draft picks in 2024 (only two before the fifth round at the moment).

Miami needs Smith to be a starting outside corner opposite Ramsey next season.

And Grier needs to trust Smith can do what he thought he would when he drafted him: be a good NFL starter.

Joe Schad is a journalist covering the Miami Dolphins and the NFL at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at jschad@pbpost.com and follow him on Instagram and on X @schadjoe. Sign up for Joe's free weekly Dolphins Pulse Newsletter. Help support our work by subscribing today.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Cam Smith of Miami Dolphins is solution instead of 2024 NFL Draft