The Miami Dolphins are in the middle of a rebuild, although it is one that has yet to reach the valleys that many expected it to. The Dolphins were considered to be the NFL's very worst team heading into the 2019 season, but surprised with a 5-11 record. Even though the team did not fully commit to gutting its roster, Miami still ended up with the second-best quarterback prospect in Tua Tagovailoa. The 2020 roster is not great, but it's far from terrible. However, there is one area that is weaker than the rest, and it means that if Tagovailoa is forced into action as a rookie, things may not end well.
Tagovailoa played behind an excellent offensive line at Alabama that has already featured two first-round tackles (Jonah Williams and Jedrick Wills Jr.) and both Alex Leatherwood and Deonte Brown have good shots at becoming high picks in 2021. Despite that, Tagovailoa suffered multiple injuries throughout his collegiate career, and many stemmed from his inability to properly take a hit.
Miami's OL was already rather weak, and then they traded fourth-year LT Laremy Tunsil, one of the better young tackles in the game, prior to last season. Ryan Fitzpatrick was pressured on 230 dropbacks despite starting only 13 games.
To be fair, the Dolphins did acknowledge and address their weakness on the line. They selected USC LT Austin Jackson in the first round and Louisiana-Lafayette's Robert Hunt in the second round. However, it's unfair to depend on either to start as a rookie, and in Jackson's case, that would likely be a disaster. Miami also signed guard Ereck Flowers to a three-year $30 million contract. The intentions were good, but the results remain to be seen.
Julie'n Davenport, acquired from the Houston Texans in the Tunsil trade, started eight games at LT in 2019. He earned a 56.5 overall grade from Pro Football Focus, which was nearly identical to his mark from 2018, where he started 15 games for the Texans. It seems likely he'll retain his spot in 2020 for the Dolphins, which is rather concerning.
Flowers should start for the Dolphins at left guard, where he played in 2019 for the Washington Redskins. The ninth overall selection in 2015 by the New York Giants, Flowers was a significant disappointment at left tackle, but did have a decent campaign in Washington. He is a slightly above average player according to PFF, and based on his performance to this point, is overpaid at $10 million annually.
Ted Karras started 15 games for the New England Patriots last season, and was decent. He'll play for the Dolphins on a one-year $3 million deal. Karras replaces Daniel Kilgore, who was also decent in 2019 for Miami. It seems like a lateral move at this point, which is certainly preferable to a downgrade.
Michael Deiter, a third-round pick out of Wisconsin, started 15 games as a rookie for the Dolphins, and struggled mightily, as evidenced by his 42.5 overall grade. He may end up winning the starting RG job once again, but he'll have quite a bit of competition.
At right tackle, Jesse Davis seems the most likely to start for the Dolphins. He has been a mainstay on the Miami OL since his rookie year in 2017, starting a total of 41 out of 47 games at RG and RT. He's played at a replacement level at both spots. If he doesn't win the RT job, perhaps he'll move back inside.
Deion Calhoun saw time at RG last season, and wasn't particularly impressive for the Dolphins. Adam Pankey, Danny Isidora, Keaton Sutherland, Donell Stanley, Nick Kaltmayer, and Jonathan Hubbard are others who will fight to make the team as depth.
As far as the rookies go, fourth-round pick Solomon Kindley will compete at right guard. He was a solid player at Georgia and it wouldn't be a surprise to see him win the job. Hunt played right tackle in college but may move inside in the NFL. He has plenty of size and physical ability; how quickly he earns playing time depends on how quickly he can refine his technique. Jackson is a first-round talent, but wasn't all that good of a player at USC. He was solid in 2018, but he did not develop as hoped in 2019, and a lot of that was due to him missing nearly the entire offseason after donating bone marrow to his younger sister.
Jackson lacks down-to-down consistency in his technique and is not ready for NFL strength. But he does possess the functional athleticism of a starter, and showed flashes of great play, although they were short. He'll need plenty time to develop, but has the potential to become a good player.
Things don't look great for the Dolphins on the offensive line in 2020. But if the front office ends up being correct in their evaluations from this draft class, the line could be in pretty good shape moving forward. Let's just hope Tagovailoa isn't shattered before that happens.
Follow Us
Subscribe