The Miami Dolphins will enter this offseason with a few unknown variables — starting first and foremost with their offensive infrastructure for the upcoming season. Miami will have their third offensive coordinator in as many seasons in the Brian Flores era, and this candidate will have the challenge of taking over an offense that needs to be better catered to a young quarterback in Tua Tagovailoa.
There are a few things that stand to help Tagovailoa. A good tight end (Mike Gesicki) is a young quarterback’s best friend. And an effective running game will help keep the Dolphins’ offense balanced, no matter who is calling the shots. And while there’s some questions regarding what Miami’s rushing attack will look like given the rumored candidates in consideration for the Dolphins’ offensive coordinator vacancy, Miami has one advantage that will prevent them from having to alter their personnel too much.
His name is Robert Hunt.
The Dolphins’ line is currently built for inside & split zone. The pure mass of Miami’s overhauled line up front makes projecting them into more of an outside rushing team a bit of a difficult chore — that is of course until you remember Robert Hunt’s versatility. Many considered Hunt, who was a top-40 pick by the Dolphins in 2020, to be a conversion to guard in waiting. And while Hunt proved himself a very viable option at right tackle throughout the second half of the season, he still has plenty of appeal inside if a more athletic blend of linemen is needed to meet the needs of a new offense.
Furthermore, if the Dolphins ultimately decide to welcome Oregon tackle Penei Sewell to the roster with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, the team will need to reshuffle the tackles anyway — Miami would have invested three top-40 picks into the offensive tackle position in two NFL Drafts. Perhaps Austin Jackson moves to the right side. Perhaps Sewell would be the one to move. But either way, Hunt’s ability to step inside ensures that there’s no lost investments along the way in this hypothetical.
Hunt proved himself during his rookie campaign as a long-term starter — more so than either of the other rookies to take snaps up front. He was a true asset in the run game for a team that desperately needed some push and was capable in pass protection along the way. And with the ability to play inside or out, he’ll have the pathways necessary to ensure he stays in the lineup no matter what direction the Dolphins go this offseason.