After the initial wave of free agency and ahead of the late April NFL draft, the offensive line remains one area where the Miami Dolphins stand to add to the roster.
Coach Mike McDaniel said as much just last week when assessing his team’s early offseason moves at the NFL annual meeting in Phoenix.
“We have some ideas and thoughts of players that are still out there,” said McDaniel, adding the team found it better to spend big money 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 are not done yet on the offensive line with the only offseason acquisition being former New York Jets and Los Angeles Chargers interior lineman Dan Feeney. A priority will likely come in finding a right tackle that can compete and provide depth while also potentially serving as a swing tackle that can back up Pro Bowl left tackle Terron Armstead.
Miami has three-fifths of its starting line secured with Armstead manning his post for a second season with the Dolphins, Connor Williams at center and Robert Hunt at right guard. Williams came over in 2022 free agency and was a huge plus in a transition from guard, where he played his first four seasons with the Dallas Cowboys. Outside of the occasional errant snap, Williams was extremely reliable anchoring Miami’s line.
Feeney provides added competition for third-year blocker Liam Eichenberg, whom the Dolphins traded up in the 2021 draft’s second round to select. Robert Jones, who was formidable in seven starts at left guard and a playoff start at right guard, and Lester Cotton, who started the postseason game in Buffalo at left guard, will also compete there.
McDaniel and his new offensive staff last year couldn’t get a great look at 2020 first-rounder Austin Jackson at right tackle. With consecutive ankle injuries that placed him on injured reserve in each of his starts in a crucial third NFL season, Miami needs to secure that position. Brandon Shell, making 11 starts at right tackle, was solid in backing him up in 2022, but he remains a free agent.
Whoever the team brings in, whether a veteran in free agency or a rookie in the draft, McDaniel is set on giving Jackson and Eichenberg their respective opportunities in Year 2 in his offense.
Hunt is the Dolphins’ best draft choice among young linemen chosen in recent drafts. Since going in the second round in 2020, No. 39 overall, he has 45 starts — 34 at his current right guard post the past two seasons — while also having the versatility to kick out to tackle, like he did as a rookie. Combining Armstead and Williams with Hunt presented progress for the Dolphins’ offensive line in 2022 that now needs to take another step in 2023.
As far as backup tackles, the Dolphins re-signed veterans Kendall Lamm and Geron Christian, both who spent time on Miami’s active roster as reserves late last season. Lamm even got a start in the Jan. 1 loss at New England but exited with an ankle injury. Kion Smith has been a practice squad member in recent years and also is on the roster to compete this offseason heading into training camp in late July.
Previously addressed
Dolphins quarterback breakdown: Mike White, Skylar Thompson to compete behind Tua Tagovailoa
