The Miami Dolphins have invested heavily in their offensive line this offseason. The team aggressively added players to the underachieving unit, stacking up free agent additions Ereck Flowers and Ted Karras on top of 2019 returnees Michael Deiter and Jesse Davis. Then, in April’s NFL Draft, the Dolphins leapt at USC’s Austin Jackson and Louisiana’s Robert Hunt inside the first 50 picks and then traded up on the third day to secure Georgia OG Solomon Kindley.
These seven players project as the starting five and core nucleus of the Dolphins’ overhauled offensive line, but an unexpected free agent makes a load of sense for Miami in the aftermath of the 2020 NFL Draft.
The New Orleans Saints cut three-time Pro Bowl guard Larry Warford yesterday — a decision that came on the heels of New Orleans drafting potential Dolphins draft target Cesar Ruiz (IOL, Michigan) with the 24th overall selection in the NFL Draft. The move comes primarily as an act of salary cap relief for the Saints — and their loss will certainly be someone else’s gain. Warford will turn 29 years old this summer and has accounted for just 8 penalties over the course of his last three seasons (2775 offensive snaps) with the Saints.
Should the Dolphins be among those courting Warford?
Absolutely. The Dolphins have coveted size and power at the point of attack in each of their added offensive linemen this offseason — Warford certainly checks that box with room to spare. The Dolphins’ decision making does seem to factor in some athletic testing measurements to some degree, but there’s no definite data that would exclude Warford for qualifying for Miami’s offensive line and his high level of play in the NFL definitely alleviates any concern.
This is a decorated and accomplished NFL player who meets Miami’s desires in size and has an impressive pro resume — he’d likely become the Dolphins’ top offensive linemen from the jump. The Dolphins should absolutely be ringing Warford now that he’s on the market. If the bidding for his services gets crazy, Miami would be wise to fold their cards — but the team has the cash to absorb him, he’s a scheme fit and the Dolphins would greatly benefit from his experience on their line. Good prospects shouldn’t prevent any team from signing a great player — that’s the boat the Dolphins find themselves in now. If the price is right, consider Miami a viable buyer.