The Miami Dolphins’ efforts via the 2020 NFL Draft to fortify their roster featured two very distinct strategies. The team coveted picking by volume in the early portions of the draft — electing to stand firm with three picks on each day and let the board “come to them”. The Dolphins refused to concede multiple picks for one player, presumably on account of how many needs the Dolphins roster had entering the weekend.
But then, on the draft’s third and final day, the Dolphins flipped the script — they became aggressive in their trading and made several moves, including the trade for RB Matt Breida and two separate trade-ups: one for DE Curtis Weaver of Boise State in the 5th-round and the other for OG Solomon Kindley in the 4th round.
The Dolphins paid an especially handsome price for Kindley, trading picks No. 136 and 141 (both in the 4th-round) to move up 25 spots and secure Kindley’s services.
But, despite his cost, Kindley isn’t necessarily expected to compete for a starting job this offseason. The Dolphins signed Ereck Flowers to a season that will pay out $10M per year — he’s going to start at left guard. And with Kindley not qualified to play tackle, that means the big man is going to have to compete for the starting right guard job against coaching staff favorite Jesse Davis and top-40 pick Robert Hunt. The loser of the battle between Hunt and Davis is presumed to kick inside to guard and play — unless Kindley can nail down an upset in training camp.
What should Dolphins fans expect on this front? If the team isn’t going to have a home for him early on, did the team need to flip two 4th-round picks to move up to aggressively to get him?
According to the old NFL Trade Value Chart (designed by Jimmy Johnson), Miami’s two conceded picks were worth 73.5 points — the pick they got in return was worth 72 points; so from a traditional point of view, the deal was fairly even. But even if a presumed aggressive trade to target Kindley was an “equal” deal, was it the right move if Kindley doesn’t end up starting in 2020? Not necessarily, because there’s no such thing as too many quality options up front in the trenches. Remember in 2018 when Josh Sitton played one game for Miami after being added as a key upgrade and then missed the rest of the year?
Between Kindley, 2019 3rd-round pick Michael Deiter, Flowers, Hunt/Davis and Ted Karras, Miami has five potential starting bodies on the inside (plus a potential sleeper in UDFA Donnell Stanley at center). This was an investment — even if it ends up being overkill. And after the way the offensive line derailed some good Dolphins teams in the 2010s, Miami should be applauded for refusing to let it happen here and now.