Bills & Jets picked up elite DTs… Phins MUST counter with O-line help
The Phins did a great job adding Christian Wilkins Day 1…
… But after the Jets and Bill added stud Defensive Tackles Ed Oliver and Quinnen Williams in Round 1, Miami must draft Offensive Line help today or get the body bags ready for their quarterbacks.
The New York Jets will be especially ferocious upfront.
As it stands now, Miami will get savaged in their division unless they make several very successful moves to bolster their O-line.
The good news is there’s a load of O-line talent available in Round 2.
Add to this plenty of Wide Receiver and Cornerbacks available… and Miami has a decent chance to select quality OL value.
Just hope an early Offensive Line run doesn’t kick off the day… and Grier doesn’t over think it.
Unfortunately, the bad news is Miami picks in the middle of the round… and they only have 2 picks today.
Still, they should be able to lock down at least one O-line position in these two rounds, but they must nail their selections. With Richmond Webb calling out the pick in Round 2, I’m betting with the pay per heads that Offensive Line help is coming 48th Pick.
The lure to draw the Dolphins focus will be QBs Drew Lock, Will Grier, and Ryan Finley who are still on the board. Phins should resist this temptation. Yes, it could prove a genius move, but it will more likely be meh or a disaster. I’m guessing Chris Grier will hold his water and pick Tyree Jackson in the 4th Round… if he’s available.
Although, there is strong talk that the Dolphins will trade their 2nd Rounder for Josh Rosen. I’m cringing at that thought. Again, it could go well… but it doesn’t feel that way.
Dolphins must not repeat past mistakes of neglecting the O-line
Miami’s swiss-cheese Offensive Line is begging for the talent infusion of OT/G Jawaan Taylor, OT/G Dalton Risner, OT/G Cody Ford, C/G Elgton Jenkins, OT/G Greg Little, or G Nate Davis, who are still on the board.
Taylor won’t fall to them at #48, but if Risner or Jenkins is available, Miami will be very lucky. One of these two along with Nate Davis in Round 3, and Miami would be in a superb situation.
Risner was graded as a 1st Round talent by PFF. I love his talent and versatility. He can play Center, Right Guard, or Right Tackle… and maybe even Miami’s biggest hole, Left Guard. Risner showed excellent power and run blocking ability. His ‘claim to fame’ is he all but nullified Montez Sweat in their matchup… And that says a ton.
Elgton Jenkins is my second preference because he is a talented Center who could help Miami deal with the stud Defensive Tackles on the Bill and Jets. He’s well rounded, and though he isn’t elite, he doesn’t have a glaring weakness. One key strength though is his ability to deal with the bull rush. Also, there is some potential that he could fill the Left Guard spot… a position that at the moment doesn’t have a single live body to fill it.
So far, so good Phins Fans
There is still plenty of time left for disaster to strike. But if Grier and Co. can make today a good one… then fans should breathe a sigh of relief. Just make sure you do your good luck dance that a quality Offensive Lineman is picked in Round 2. Go Phins!!!