Examining Phins Rookie Guard Michael Deiter

Michael Deiter was Miami’s only blue-chip addition to the Offensive Line

Wisconsin Badgers Offensive Linemen Michael Deiter was picked by the Miami Dolphins in the 3rd Round of the 2019 NFL Draft…

… And honestly, quality help on the interior Offensive Line is long, long overdue.

I expected (and hoped) that an Offensive Tackle would come on the 2nd Day of the draft…

… But, with all the best 2nd Round value Guards and Tackles off the board (except maybe Tackle MAX SCHARPING), Chris Grier wisely moved back from the 48th to 62nd in a trade with the Saints. This might have been the plan regardless of who was on the board. Grier stated that he and Flores had planned to trade back prior to the draft to pick up an extra 1st or 2nd Round pick. True or not, only they can say.

Miami then traded for Josh Rosen. Losing the 2nd and 4th from both trades made the use of their 3rd Rounder on Guard Michael Deiter critical.

Deiter was the first O-linemen off the board in Round 3 and PFFs 3rd ranked Guard prospect. The Titans selected Guard Nate Davis a few picks later. Davis will be a player to track and compare to evaluate Grier’s decision.

The bottom line: Miami’s O-line depends on Deiter’s contributions. Thankfully, all indications are that he has a high floor and will be solid at worst.

After years of searching, there’s a good chance he finally fills the hole at Left Guard

Deiter comes from the Offensive Linemen factory of Wisconsin where he has the school record for most games started. Dependable and tough, Deiter is a lunch pail player who has a skill set that’s solid across the board. Although he has two parts of his game that border on being a strength and a weakness.

Deiter has an excellent punch and technique and was ranked 22nd by PFF in allowing outside pressure. This is a big part of why he only allowed 1 sack and 9 pressures in 2018. His ability to use his hands and deal with speed and hand fighting is why he played Left Tackle in 2017 so successfully. His presence should bring confidence to Laremy Tunsil and help him take the next step.

Quintin Lash put together some tape of Deiter at Left Tackle in 2017. You can see here why the pay per head sites predict Deiter will fill Miami’s Left Guard vacancy.

But, the one part of his game that’s close to a blemish is his ability to deal with power where he ranked 104th in his ability to handle the Bull Rush. Some of this appears to come from a lack of physical maturity. Deiter had a small moment of fame over his love of McDonalds and habit of eating there multiple times per week. I expect maturation and an NFL strength, diet, and conditioning program to lessen this ‘weakness’.

Given the brute power of the Defensive Tackles in the AFCE… he’d better ‘bulk up–pronto.

In Deiter, Miami acquired one of the most versatile linemen in the draft as Deiter has had extensive starts at Center, Guard, and Tackle. While Deiter won’t play Tackle in the NFL, he could play Center… but more importantly, he fits the bill at Left Guard. Let’s hope so because there’s doesn’t appear to be anyone else on the roster who’s more than a speed bump at the position… except maybe a Hail Mary with Chris Reed.

Since the departure of Richie Incognito, the Left Guard position has been a disaster. The one season Laremy Tunsil played the position he performed well in pass block, but in run blocking… not so much. Then there was that beautiful one game of Josh Sitton. Other than that it’s been train wreck after train wreck.

I’m not even remotley hinting that Deiter has the talent level of Incognito. He doesn’t. But, the chances are good he’ll be the best thing since. This isn’t a Quenton Nelson type player, but given the system that the Pats run (and what we in turn will run), he should fit in nicely and solidify the left side of the O-line…

… Hopefully sooner rather than later. Go Phins!!!

Examining