The Miami Dolphins offensive line was a rough watch in 2019. The team couldn’t consistently win the point of attack, they couldn’t sustain their blocks in pass protection and they certainly couldn’t impose their will on anyone. The end result? Miami couldn’t run the ball and quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick spent a fair number of reps running for his life.
It was ugly.
It was also exacerbated by Miami’s franchise altering decision to trade left tackle Laremy Tunsil for a boatload of draft capital. Whether or not Miami comes to regret that decision will probably come down to how the team manages to use those draft picks to build out their new offensive line.
The good news? Miami doesn’t have to rely strictly on the draft — free agency will be a big piece of where Miami makes headway in fixing this forsaken line. Here’s a 3-step plan to help Miami right the ship.
Step 1 – Identify Potential Starters On The Roster
Let’s start with current players who should be considered assets moving forward. Miami’s top offensive linemen are as follows:
OT Jesse Davis, OG Michael Deiter, IOL Evan Boehm (free agent), C Daniel Kilgore, OT Julien Davenport, OG Danny Isidora
In a vacuum, none of these players are probably starters on most NFL offensive lines. The team’s current management offered an extension to Jesse Davis and drafted Michael Deiter in the 3rd-round of the 2019 NFL Draft — these should be considered the only possible starters out of this group for 2020.
How do the Dolphins win from here?
Step 2 – Spend Aggressive Up Front In Free Agency
The 2019 Buffalo Bills may be a source of inspiration here. The Bills didn’t break the bank for a single player, but the team did add aggressively. In 2019, Buffalo added the following offensive linemen:
OG Jon Feliciano, OG Spencer Long, C Mitch Morse, OT Ty Nsekhe, OG Quinton Spain, OT LaAdrian Waddle
Spain played the most snaps on the entire team (1,063) last season. Morse, Feliciano and Spain won starting jobs and were complimented by an incumbent in Dion Dawkins at left tackle and a rookie 2nd-round selection in Cody Ford.
This is where the Dolphins need to make sure they churn the group. Add aggressively, maybe not for a headline name but rather for volume and thrive on the competition it will bring.
Some logical candidates?
RG Brandon Scherff – He’s expected to command $12M+ per season. He’s also 28 years old and has struggled with injury over the past few seasons. He’s the star prize, but Miami should tread carefully here if breaking the bank is what gets him to Miami.
RT Jack Conklin – All the problems Miami has experienced in the run game? Conklin addresses all of them. The problem? He, as a 26 year old free agent, is primed to make $15M+ per season and is another big fish. The Dolphins can afford him, but let’s not get hasty here with the cash unless it is a front-loaded deal for 2020 and 2021.
OL Andrus Peat – Peat has college experience at tackle and NFL experience at guard. He’s long, athletic and powerful at the point of attack — this signing would come with a bit less sticker shock but he’s immediately be the best starting lineman on the team. At 26, Peat would also be a long-term starter.
OG Quinton Spain – Buffalo’s one year gamble paid off — now the team will have to ante up or run the risk of Spain hitting the market, where Miami should absolutely be interested, given his play power to reset the line.
RT Germain Ifedi – Ifedi is a long-time starter for the Seahawks. His pass protection can be hit or miss, but he’s an athletic big body who would provide Miami more power, mobility and athleticism up front.
OG Joe Thuney – The connection here is obvious, given Thuney’s status as a Patriot. If Miami can coax Thuney to South Florida, it will be interesting — especially given the Dolphins seem to be departing from the model of “Patriots South Florida” after dismissing Chad O’Shea.
You want to fix your offensive line, Miami? Sign two of these players and several other veteran linemen to one year “prove it deals” and let’s turn this offensive line on its head.
Step 3 – Aim For 2 Starters In The 2020 Draft
Louisville left tackle Mekhi Becton at 18. Georgia left tackle Andrew Thomas at 18. Michigan center Cesar Ruiz at 26. Houston left tackle Josh Jones at 26. LSU center Lloyd Cushenberry at 39. TCU right tackle Lucas Niang at 56. Temple center Matt Hennessy at 56.
The options are endless. But Miami needs to come out of the top-40 with a projected starter on the offensive line — and then take advantage of the depth of this year’s OL class to ensure they target another potential starter within the top-100 picks.
This will probably require some moving and shaking up and down the draft board, especially if the Dolphins end up moving up to the third overall pick to target a quarterback. But hey — that’s what a dozen draft picks are for.
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