MIAMI GARDENS - Kendall Fuller is who they thought he was.

When the Miami Dolphins signed Fuller to a 2-year, $15 million contract in March, they viewed the cornerback as athletic, versatile, instinctive and - intelligent.

Fuller's knowledge of the game has been confirmed by coaches since his arrival.

"You talk about a guy that has tremendous football IQ, that knows his skill set, can take all of the pre-snap information that is given to him and then apply it," Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver said this week. "He’s played in every coverage scheme known to man. Just his vet-savvy, his presence, the professionalism that he shows every day is going to have a tremendous influence on all of these guys."

Fuller, 29, can be lined up outside or inside, which is especially beneficial because Jalen Ramsey figures to do both this season, too.

"All of us are flexible guys that play multiple positions," Fuller said this week. "So whatever the coaches want to do, wherever they’re looking, whatever they’re thinking is where any of us go.”

Kendall Fuller vs. Tyreek Hill fun Dolphins camp battle

Training camp, which begins in late July, should be a lot of fun, as Fuller tests his skills against Miami receivers Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle and Odell Beckham, Jr.

"Competing, getting each other better, learning from each other – that’s what training camp is for," Fuller said. "We’re competitors, but we’re teammates at the same time. We go get a rep, one person wins, one person loses. Talking about it, learning, seeing where you can do better."

Fuller has 16 interceptions in the last seven seasons.

Fuller is a willing tackler, with 464 tackles in his career.

And Fuller has had good pass coverage metrics over the last four years, though last year there were some ups-and-downs on a Washington defense that struggled overall.

Miami Dolphins secondary should be excellent

Miami's secondary, with Ramsey and Fuller and Jevon Holland and Jordan Poyer and Cam Smith and Kader Kohou, has a chance to be really good.

"I mean it’s great talent," Fuller said. "It’s the NFL man. You play with so many talented guys at every position, whether that’s starters, whether that’s dudes like Jalen (Ramsey) who will probably be a future Hall-of-Famer, to guys third or fourth on the depth chart."

Fuller is expected to step in for Xavien Howard, cut by Miami for salary cap purposes.

Howard remains unsigned. Fuller has a track record of durability, something Howard might be more likely to struggle with in the final years of his career.

"Xavien is always going to be my dude," Jalen Ramsey said. "That’s my guy. I wish he could still be a part of the team. Business is business, I understand it, but I’m always rooting for him. Arguably the best corner in Dolphins history, so that’s my guy. But me and Kendall go way back to like high school, so that’s my guy too. It’ll be fun teaming up with him.”

Ramsey and Fuller were both in the 2016 NFL Draft.

Kendall Fuller has positive influence on young Fins

Fuller is a native of Baltimore, which is where first-year Dolphins secondary coach Brian Duker has also resided.

"Real smart," Duker said of Fuller. "He's kind of been everything as advertised. Goes about his business the right way. So I mean, I just enjoy working with him every day. It's easy."

Weaver thinks Fuller will have a positive influence on Miami's younger corners.

"The Cam Smiths of the world, the Ethan Bonners – I’m just so grateful for him being here," Weaver said. "He’s such a calming presence back there at the corner position.”

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: Miami Dolphins cornerback Kendall Fuller already impressing