Do they, or don’t they?
In an NFL draft that’s brimming with so much offensive tackle talent that there could be eight selected in the first round, the Miami Dolphins have a prime opportunity to find a successor for Terron Armstead, their Pro Bowl left tackle.
And when you consider that many of the top offensive linemen in this draft can play tackle and guard, or center and guard, there’s a lot of possibilities if the Dolphins take an offensive lineman in the first or second rounds.
The Dolphins have the 21st pick of the first round, prime territory for finding a Day One starter. Miami’s second-round pick is No. 55, also prime territory for getting a quality offensive lineman.
But here’s the dilemma …
The Dolphins, who lost right guard Robert Hunt in free agency, return a large portion of last year’s offensive line, which only allowed 31 sacks, tied for fourth-fewest in the league, and fueled a run game that ranked sixth (135.8 yards per game).
Among returning starters the big concern is Armstead, the 11-year veteran who has been so riddled with injuries the past two seasons that he contemplated retirement in the offseason. He’ll be 33 years old when the season opens.
Another major concern is center Connor Williams. It’s not known if he’ll return. He’s a free agent and recovering from a season-ending knee injury.
Elsewhere Miami welcomes back right tackle Austin Jackson, guard-center Liam Eichenberg, guard Isaiah Wynn, guard Lester Cotton, guard Robert Jones and tackle Kendall Lamm, all of whom made starts last season.
Additionally, the Dolphins return guard Chasen Hines and tackles Kion Smith and Ryan Hayes, all youngsters.
The Dolphins also bring back offensive line coach Butch Barry, who molded a group of oft-injured, mix-and-match players into a cohesive crew by game time each week.
The Dolphins signed free agent center-guard Aaron Brewer (Tennessee), who is starting caliber, as well as tackle-guard Jack Driscoll.
Brewer, such as Williams, could start at center or guard.
The bottom line is the Dolphins return a lot of experienced offensive linemen and lots of versatility. Because they could blend their offensive linemen in a variety of ways, they could easily get through the draft without selecting anyone on the offensive line.
After all, if Armstead, Williams and Brewer are together, the Dolphins’ offensive line could be considered in a good position. They’d be deep and versatile.
For example, Williams and Brewer both play center.
Williams, Brewer, Eichenberg, Wynn, Cotton, Jones and Hines all play guard.
Armstead, Jackson, Lamm, Smith and Hayes play tackle, and Eichenberg and Wynn also have experience at tackle.
In one possibility, Miami could start Armstead and Jackson at tackles, Brewer and Wynn at guards, and Williams at center.
However, standing pat would be a risk because Miami’s best offensive lineman, Armstead, isn’t reliable physically, and its second-best, Williams, might not return.
In that scenario the Dolphins are left with a so-so crew led by Jackson, Brewer, Eichenberg, Lamm, Wynn and Jones.
Jackson’s star is on the rise, but it’s cautionary because last season was his first and only strong season.
Brewer is a veteran starter, but he’s in his first year with Miami.
Lamm is a reliable veteran, but he’s older and has battled back problems.
Eichenberg, Wynn and Jones can be good but none is Pro Bowl level.
An injection of youth and health could be just what this offensive line needs.
It certainly needs a successor to Armstead.
Drafting a player to a talent-rich unit is familiar to the Dolphins. They did it last year by selecting running back De’Von Achane in the third round, adding him to a crew that already included Raheem Mostert, Jeff Wilson Jr., and Salvon Ahmed.
On the other hand, the Dolphins have pressing needs at edge rusher and defensive tackle that could be addressed high in the draft, and possibly cornerback, safety and tight end.
The Dolphins, under coach Mike McDaniel, are an offense-first team. Protecting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and giving him time to throw are large factors in the Dolphins’ success.
We’ll see how that influences their draft decision.
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