One of the primary storylines ahead of Miami’s Week 5 contest against the San Francisco 49ers was how the team was going to handle a reshuffled offensive line. With 1st-round rookie Austin Jackson moved to injured reserve due to a foot injury, the Dolphins were going to have to make their first changes to the trenches since the start of the season. The team’s solution?
Moving veteran tackle Jesse Davis from right tackle to left tackle and inserting top-40 pick Robert Hunt in at right tackle to play San Francisco. The end result in Week 5 saw Hunt deliver a mauling performance against the 49ers and help spur Miami’s offense to a whopping 43-point outburst.
What did coach Brian Flores think of Miami’s performance up front after the changes? He shared his perspective during Monday’s press availability.
“I thought as a whole, they played well. I thought the pass protection against a good front was good. I thought the run game, we really got it going in the second half. I thought they played well overall. Robert Hunt, this being his first significant playing time, I thought he showed himself well. The moment wasn’t too big for him. He and Solomon (Kindley) they did a good job over on the right side,” said Flores.
“I would say Robert was out there against a very, very good player in Arik Armstead for much of the day, and I thought it wasn’t too big for him. Look, we’ve just got to continue to improve. I think (OL coach) Steve Marshall has done a really good job with that group, guys playing different positions, but continuing to play with some consistency, some toughness. They all bring leadership and energy, I’d say that. There’s a lot of energy from that group.”
Indeed, Hunt played with a ton of pop and a ton of effort against the 49ers. Miami has to be encouraged that each of their three rookie offensive linemen have taken snaps at some point this season and all three have illustrated potential to not just be starters and present on the line but actually be assets that can help this line forge an identity. Hunt will get at least two more games of starting experience before Miami needs to reconsider their offensive unit — and perhaps even more if Jackson is not ready to return from the injured reserve after three games.
The good news? If Week 5 is any indication, Hunt will be up to the task.