2023 is a critical season for Davis & Eichenberg
While OTAs are a glorified workout routine, occasionally some interesting news nuggets drop out of them. But Miami Dolphins offensive linemen Liam Eichenberg taking reps at center and mammoth defensive tackle Raekwon Davis noticeably slimmed down does make for some interesting and worthwhile talk because both players are very important pieces for success this season. And, because the 2023 Season is critical for both players’ futures as a Phin, these little blips of deviation from their standard MO make this a bit more interesting.
2023 Make or Break for Davis as a Dolphin
Raekwon Davis was a 2nd Round pick that came out of the gate hot in 2020 and looked to be a man among boys in the middle of the defense. But, the NFL is a cruel sport, and a knee injury in Week 1 of 2021 set him on a path to having to play hurt since. The same knee was re-injured in 2022 and Davis hasn’t even come close to the dominance he showed as a rookie. In fact, Davis has been a shadow of his former self.
Davis is a giant standing 6’7” tall and hovering in the range of 340 lbs for most of his NFL career. The description of ‘slimmed down’ doesn’t tell us what he is weighing now, but I think 15 lbs or thereabouts sounds right.
The good side is the twice-injured knee won’t have to bear the extra weight and Davis should be more mobile if he can keep the weight off. The problem is his height makes him more suited for the edge, but he doesn’t have the agility to play there. His best success was hovering around the Center as a nose tackle. Unfortunately, his height doesn’t create a leverage advantage over smaller men, so the extra weight offset this a bit. It will be very interesting to see if new defensive coordinator Vic Fangio has a plan for Davis to get him back on track and if this weight loss is part of that.
Dolphins must get good line play and Eichenberg is a big part of that
Chris Grier used a 2nd and 3rd Round pick to draft Liam Eichenberg in the 2021 Draft, but he has struggled hard at both offensive tackle and guard. The reports coming out of camp were with Connor Willams not attending OTAs, Eichenberg was getting reps at center. On the face of it, I like seeing him getting the reps because Miami only has Dan Feeney behind Williams, so it makes sense. It doesn’t take the best Football Software to know he won’t push for starting reps at center this season because Willams is a lock, and I don’t see Williams moving back to guard and Eichenberg playing center. It takes a load of reps to switch over center with all the ball handling and I think it would be a case of diminishing returns.
The angle I do see for these reps, beyond the in case of emergency, is Eichenberg’s lack of power would be less exposed at center rather than at guard. If Eichenberg doesn’t thrive at left guard, the move could be an emergency option to salvage his career in Miami. Also, Williams is a Free Agent at the end of the season, so maybe Eichenberg at center in 2024 offers an option at center if Williams’ new contract prices the Dolphins out. These reps by Eichenberg in OTAs let him cut his teeth in a new position and for the staff to see how he responds just in case.
Overall, these are interesting notes, and will be even more interesting to see what becomes of them. Go Phins!!!