MIAMI GARDENS — The Dolphins could be set to debut what could be the NFL’s best cornerback duo on Sunday against New England. That’s when three-time All Pro Jalen Ramsey, making his first appearance of the season after a knee injury on the second day of training camp, takes the field alongside four-time Pro Bowl selection Xavien Howard. 

In other words, the dream team has finally arrived.

Well, hopefully.

Coach Mike McDaniel said Friday he’s unsure either will play. Howard missed last week’s game at Philadelphia with a groin injury. Both are officially questionable for the Patriots game.

“I’m prepared for either scenario for both players, and I really don’t have a clue if they’re going to play or not,” McDaniel said Friday.

If they play, the Dolphins are set up for defensive success.

Ramsey, the probable Hall of Famer who was acquired in a trade with the Los Angeles Rams in March, is a potential game-changer. Think about it: put Ramsey and Howard on the field against Eagles wide receivers A.J. Brown and De’Vonta Smith and perhaps it’s a different outcome than a Miami 31-17 loss. 

But don’t stop there.

Unite Ramsey and Howard with emerging edge rushers Bradley Chubb and Jaelan Phillips, and put them all under the direction of defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, a defensive wizard of sorts as well as the NFL’s highest-paid assistant coach, and the grandiose preseason plan is finally coming together, in Week 7.

Well, if it happens.

It’s interesting to note McDaniel is seemingly giving lots of latitude to Ramsey and Howard on their injury returns. He said he’ll listen to what they say. Usually, coaches make the decisions for players.

“I find comfort in the fact that both X and Ramsey know how capable the players are that they play with (as backups), so they won’t make an irresponsible decision,” McDaniel said.

Fangio was asked Thursday how the tandem of Ramsey and Howard changes the defense.

“Anytime you add good players to your team, it will change,” he said. “It should be a benefit, both from their production and what it allows you to do schematically.”

On that note, let’s take things a step further.

Ramsey is better than any trade deadline acquisition the Dolphins could get this year.

Full transparency, there’s a CHANCE that I can play this Sunday, but that decision genuinely isn’t made yet so that is news to me just like it is to y’all lol

I have to go through a whole process to feel GREAT enough to play. I won’t play if I feel any less than GREAT.

— Jalen Ramsey (@jalenramsey) October 27, 2023

And let’s look at the bigger picture.

Miami, along with having the NFL’s best cornerback duo, and best cornerback-edge rusher tandem, could also have the NFL’s best nickel package when they take the field against New England at Hard Rock Stadium.

Fangio said cornerback Kader Kohou, currently a starter on the boundary, would slide to the slot in the package with Howard and Ramsey on the boundary. 

Going a step further than that, if safety Jevon Holland (concussion protocol) plays alongside fellow starting safety DeShon Elliott, the Dolphins could have the NFL’s best secondary when they host the Patriots.

Add in the strong interior defensive line play from tackles Christian Wilkins and Zach Sieler, and improvement seems imminent.

This is how much Ramsey means to this defense, which is currently 21st in total defense (345.3 yards per game), 20th against the pass (233.0 ypg), and 19th against the run (112.3 ypg) and 27th in scoring at (26.7 points per game).

Imagine where things could go from here, especially in the two games before the bye, Sunday against New England and the following week against defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City in Germany.

Fangio gave his defense a good review from the Philadelphia game.

“Obviously they are one of the best teams in the league,” he said. “We were ranked No. 1 in offense going in and everybody forgot they were No. 2. It’s a high-quality team.

“I thought we acquitted ourselves well,” he said. “We had the touchdown. The strip sack by Bradley (Chubb) set up the other three points, so we kind of scored 10 points. We were a play or two away from having a great performance. We just let a couple of plays get away from us, but I was pleased with the progress we showed. I know it’s hard to fathom that when you allow 31, but there was good progress made.”

They could likely make better progress with Ramsey and Howard on the field together Sunday.