After the preliminary wave of free company and forward of the late April NFL draft, the offensive line stays one space the place the Miami Dolphins stand so as to add to the roster.
Coach Mike McDaniel stated as a lot simply final week when assessing his workforce’s early offseason strikes on the NFL annual assembly in Phoenix.
“We have some ideas and thoughts of players that are still out there,” stated McDaniel, including the workforce discovered it higher to spend massive cash elsewhere. “We’re taking our time with the market and seeing how that plays out, and there’s some stuff we have in thoughts of the draft. But, of course, that will be addressed.”
It’s clear the Dolphins will not be accomplished but on the offensive line with the one offseason acquisition being former New York Jets and Los Angeles Chargers inside lineman Dan Feeney. A precedence will probably come find a proper sort out that may compete and supply depth whereas additionally probably serving as a swing sort out that may again up Pro Bowl left sort out Terron Armstead.
Miami has three-fifths of its beginning line secured with Armstead manning his put up for a second season with the Dolphins, Connor Williams at middle and Robert Hunt at proper guard. Williams came visiting in 2022 free company and was an enormous plus in a transition from guard, the place he performed his first 4 seasons with the Dallas Cowboys. Outside of the occasional errant snap, Williams was extraordinarily dependable anchoring Miami’s line.
Feeney gives added competitors for third-year blocker Liam Eichenberg, whom the Dolphins traded up within the 2021 draft’s second spherical to pick out. Robert Jones, who was formidable in seven begins at left guard and a playoff begin at proper guard, and Lester Cotton, who began the postseason sport in Buffalo at left guard, can even compete there.
McDaniel and his new offensive employees final yr couldn’t get an important have a look at 2020 first-rounder Austin Jackson at proper sort out. With consecutive ankle accidents that positioned him on injured reserve in every of his begins in a vital third NFL season, Miami must safe that place. Brandon Shell, making 11 begins at proper sort out, was strong in backing him up in 2022, however he stays a free agent.
Whoever the workforce brings in, whether or not a veteran in free company or a rookie within the draft, McDaniel is about on giving Jackson and Eichenberg their respective alternatives in Year 2 in his offense.
Hunt is the Dolphins’ greatest draft selection amongst younger linemen chosen in current drafts. Since going within the second spherical in 2020, No. 39 total, he has 45 begins — 34 at his present proper guard put up the previous two seasons — whereas additionally having the flexibility to kick out to sort out, like he did as a rookie. Combining Armstead and Williams with Hunt introduced progress for the Dolphins’ offensive line in 2022 that now must take one other step in 2023.
As far as backup tackles, the Dolphins re-signed veterans Kendall Lamm and Geron Christian, each who hung out on Miami’s lively roster as reserves late final season. Lamm even received a begin within the Jan. 1 loss at New England however exited with an ankle damage. Kion Smith has been a apply squad member in recent times and likewise is on the roster to compete this offseason heading into coaching camp in late July.
<u>Previously addressed</u>
Dolphins working again breakdown: Dolphins opted for continuity at working again over a giant free-agent transfer
Dolphins quarterback breakdown: Mike White, Skylar Thompson to compete behind Tua Tagovailoa
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Source: www.bostonherald.com