In just over three weeks, the Miami Dolphins will open training camp for the 2020 season ahead — and with it face the prospect of building upon a promising “foundation” year. The Dolphins surprised everyone last season with a 5-4 stretch to finish the year and promptly followed suit by nailing down one of the most prolific college quarterbacks in recent history, plus a slew of new faces to add to the team.
The Dolphins will hold camp this year with fan enthusiasm as high as it has been in quite some time. But amid the restrictions of this offseason due to the ongoing health crisis, can the Dolphins rise to the challenge? We’ll be taking a look at each position group for the Dolphins ahead of the start of training camp and exploring which storylines are most pressing to monitor as Miami looks to improve in Year 2 under Brian Flores.
Here are the Dolphins’ key storylines in training camp on the offensive line.
Can Austin Jackson win the left tackle job outright?
Jackson’s primary competition at left tackle will be incumbent and Laremy Tunsil replacement Julie’n Davenport. Davenport was one of the worst pass protectors in football last season (along with the rest of the Dolphins’ offensive line), so it will be hard to envision Jackson’s performance being much worse as a raw rookie. And Jackson has more power rolled into his game in the run game than Davenport, too — so all signs point to the No. 18 overall pick claiming the left tackle job.
Anything less would be a surprise.