Phins O-line Hits Some Turbulence Post OTAs
Miami Dolphins O-line is in flux with OTAs in the books
Miami made several moves along the O-line after voluntary OTAs. The roster underwent a minor facelift with the injury and release of Isaac Asiata, the release of Kirk Barron, and signing of Tony Adams. Add on the undisclosed leg injury to Chris Reed who missed OTAs, and both uncertainty and clarity have hit a unit that hasn’t been a strength for the franchise in years.
No, it’s not time to panic. Although, the release of Asiata reminds fans of Miami’s many failures to find quality O-line help in the draft. Also, Right Guard prospects are now a bit thinner. Still, at least the evaluation on Asiata is over and the staff can focus other players.
Asiata never even started a Regular Season game
Asiata ballooning up from 335lbs to 345lbs didn’t give me ‘good vibes’ that he was entering OTAs in top form. But I hoped somehow he’d become a mammoth answer at Right Guard–even as a backup. In the end, Asiata was just a big man… and that was about it as a football player. The 5th Round Pick used to get him was another bad pick on a long list of failed attempts to find quality Offensive Lineman.
Miami and their fans better hope the Phins break this poor evaluation cycle of drafted O-linemen…
… or the ‘tank’, intended or otherwise, is on for 2019.At least one (if not two) of these rookie O-linemen needs to step up this season: Ryan Anderson, Shaq Calhoun, Michael Deiter, and Isaiah Prince. These new additions are the best bets with the pay per head sportsbook sites like Ace Per Head, to make a difference in 2019. But you could also add in Aaron Monteiro and Michael Dunn as longshot contenders—if you’re feeling lucky.
I’m very intrigued by Anderson at Center and Calhoun at Right Guard. In the long-term, Prince could bring huge value. And by all indications of his college program and player profile, Deiter will be at least solid at Left Guard. Even solid would be a huge step up from everything since Richie Incognito. So, the potential is there to have this Offensive Line take a step forward in 2019.
Jordan Mills addition was a smart move to hedge total disaster
Miami hedged their bets of banking on these rookies with Veteran Tackle Jordan Mills, but his one-year contract tells us he’s a stopgap. The staff likely has the best-case scenario as Mills getting beaten out at Right Tackle—by someone. Jesse Davis could be a better stop gap at Right Tackle… if someone would push him out of Right Guard. Davis’ ability to play multiple positions will earn him a modest extension at some point… even if he’s just a depth player.
Yes, I shake my pom-poms for Davis… but he’s better than many give him credit. Consider that Mills (PFF Grade 56.0) is in the league 6 seasons and is playing a position that suits him, while Davis (PFF Grade 55.6) is playing out of position. Davis was graded in pass blocking with a 69.3 that’s well above average while not receiving the typical help from the Center that most RG receive. It was his run blocking grade of 50.0 that hurt his play the most. Inside at 6’6” though, he loses leverage from his height more often than not. At Tackle, his size and strength would work much better against the smaller edge players.
Final review of the Offensive Linemen on the Phins roster heading into camp
Centers on the roster
- Chris Reed was nursing a leg injury through OTAs… See Jake Brendel how these things can linger
- Daniel Kilgore is small, old, coming off a bad injury, and is expensive. Phins staff is begging for someone to take the job.
- Tony Adams is being called a rookie on his Dolphins player profile. In truth, it’s his second season. That’s how much of a focus he is. He’ll likely move from the Pats Practice Squad to Miami’s. The good side of his addition is he’s a known quality to Flores from the Pats and Flaherty with the Jags.
- Ryan Anderson could be Miami’s only legit hope to supplant Kilgore.
Guards on the Roster
- Michael Deiter is all but slated at LG… but he can’t get injured. See last year’s injury to Josh Sitton for a look into the future if Deiter goes down.
- Jesse Davis made slight gains in his play at RG from 2017 to 2018. It wouldn’t be the end of the world if he’s there again in 2019. Still, he might be Miami’s best RT in 2019.
- Shaq Calhoun has strong potential, but his run blocking needs a load of work.
- Michael Dunn could play a surprise role as he did very well in the ‘junior league’.
- Ryan Anderson could fill depth here in a pinch… he’s big.
Tackles on the roster
- Laremy Tunsil is a lock at Left Tackle.
- Jesse Davis is likely a better fit than Mills at the position and his experience would likely give him an edge this year over any rookies.
- Jordan Mills is likely not going to improve much and is what he is: decent stop-gap player.
- Zach Sterup is tall, maybe too tall, to play tackle. Maybe the staff can perform a miracle?
- Isaiah Prince has experience and some elite physical tools, but as Flores said, “He’s a developmental player.”
- Aaron Monteiro has some pop to his film… enough to start as a rookie. Maybe on the right side as a backup is a realistic hope.
- Jaryd Jones-Smith is a real longshot… and not a rookie, despite what his Dolphins profile states.
Phinsnews won’t breathe a sigh of relief till some of this potential performs
The way the Right Guard position goes will be a primary domino as to how everything shakes out on the 2019 Offensive Line. Miami needs Deiter to hit at Left Guard, but they need depth at Right Guard nearly as much. Flexibility there would allow more and better option across the board. Chris Grier and Brian Flores can make a name for themselves with fans and the league if they can shape up this motley crew into something usable. Right behind developing Josh Rosen, there’s no bigger plotline. Let’s hope we go 2 for 2. Go Phins!!!
P.S. My FB comments are back… again. Seems like there should be no problems. Quote-un-quote.
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I think the O.L will be better. not great but better. the Guard they got in draft is a smasher from Wisconsin I think good for running not so good at passing he can be taught better I think the interior line will be good Center & Guards then you have left tackle very good you have to get a right tackle I feel the O.L. will surprise a lot of people this year you have to be positive not negative Go Finns
I’m with you on this. As I said above, there is a host of technical reasons with this new scheme why we’ll be better… but from a depth and talent standpoint, we have a chance to be even better there as well. If the talent end shakes out better (chemistry included) then we could see that 6-9 wins (9 being the far outlier) and this would add a huge amount of positive momentum heading into 2020. Still a load of stuff that needs to be clarified from a coaching standpoint… but I’m feeling good about this regime, more and more.
We should seriously just consider using every draft pick on OL players in 2020. If three or four of them are keeps it could be a game changer. OL is the most important facet in my opinion, yet we are left with mish-mash patchwork every year.
We need some magic on the O-line for sure. Like I wrote in the article, the potential is there… but that’s a dangerous and a hopeful word. If Deiter and one other can take a starting role with a third taking a Backup spot I’ll feel good. But Deiter isn’t a lock to be great… I do believe his floor is high though, and the rest are big unknowns. Grier and Flores could really pick up a lot of love from fans if they get this one right… if not, as you said, they might use a ton of picks to try and fix this line, Scott.
Are you a better person today then yesterday? We finish 7-9 last year with tons of injuries and a coach who rather battle his own players then his opponents.
We are a better team now then last year. We have united front office. A coach who have respect from players through out the league.you know your team is in trouble when your coach is trying to gain respect from his team.
“We are a better team now then last year. We have united front office. A coach who have respect from players through out the league.you know your team is in trouble when your coach is trying to gain respect from his team.”
100%!!!
I’ve been feeling that since his hire… I really like everything going on. Still a ways to go before we get to the proof. Still, this direction is far better even if another regime takes over down the road… but, I really am feeling that this regime will do fine… SB wins? Now that I don’t, but I’d say even some noise in the POs would a nice step up from the last 20 years.
Agree, I think we will not be cellar dwellers this year, D-Man.
The O-Line is key after the QB. If the O-Line is garbage, then what most people are saying 3-5 wins is most probable. If Rosen can’t win the starting QB, then we are looking in 2020 to draft Tua or Herbert as #1. Frustrating that for way too long, the O-Line has been neglected in the draft only for more “sexy” picks. See Dion Jordan. I do like what I have seen so far from the Front Office & Flores. I hope we can move Jones this season, but not sure. Dallas & Seattle have been rumored to be interested.
“If the O-Line is garbage, then what most people are saying 3-5 wins is most probable. ”
Absolute truth!!!!
I don’t like Tua at this point…
“See Dion Jordan. I do like what I have seen so far from the Front Office & Flores. I hope we can move Jones this season, but not sure. Dallas & Seattle have been rumored to be interested.”
Jones has gotten on my nerves… I don’t like him much anymore… I wished we could move on from him… but it would likely be next year and not this year. He’s a cheaper trade in 2020 and might be easier to move then.
I still think they should have taken an O=Lineman in the 2nd round and not traded for this Rosen kid. I will bet anything by years end the statement will be “well he might be the answer so Lets give him another year ” I’m sick of this statement
Even if Dolphins get the best QB next year, this line is terrible. So do they take an O-Lineman in the 2nd round next year? That should have already been done this year!!!
This sucks. The Dolphins have become JAT Just another team Shula and Robbie would have never stood for this crap. The problem is we get front officer personal and coaches who have no clue the the pride, respect and tradition the Dolphins once stood for.
Get ready for a rough season.
It’s a fair point, JSD. I was cheering for it as well…. but the best option for that value came off the board. Even at the late 2nd, I wasn’t super crazy about any of the picks at that value. Deiter was very good value for us in the 3rd.
“I will bet anything by years end the statement will be “well he might be the answer so Lets give him another year ” I’m sick of this statement”
Jimmy wrote about the exact thing…
“Even if Dolphins get the best QB next year, this line is terrible. So do they take an O-Lineman in the 2nd round next year? That should have already been done this year!!!”
I still see the potential… dangerous word, JSD… but this could shape up to be a better line than last year… again could. I’m ALL about the Oline… IF this regime can shape up this crew they are legit. I’m holding out hope and watching with a close eye. This will be the #2 question behind Rosen… and this could help #1 get answered.
The NYC Transit Authority has just signed Jesse Davis as a subway turnstile.
Hahaha, you sound like Lemmus. I think Davis will be fine. In fact, I think he will grow plenty this season. He wasn’t terrible last year in the least. Best interior linemen Miami had… not saying a ton I know…
The O-Line has been the (a) topic each year that seems to repeat itself each year. Looks like we are good @ LT, fingers crossed that Dieter is the answer @ LG. SO, we are 2/5 the way to where we want to be with this O-Line. And that is “if” Dieter is the answer at LG. I am just hoping that coaching alone will help with the improvement of this O-Line. Coaching along with a run oriented game plan can make this below average unit good or even above average. I believe the overall success of this teams depends on the performance of the O-Line, or lack thereof.
If there is any truth to moving R.Jones, can we move him for a quality RG/RT?
I doubt it… too much money… unless Phins are willing to eat a lot of cash. But I do hope it happens. I love the player… not so much on the guy anymore. He knows he’s paid and has control… He could have just shown to both camps to be a leader. This training on his own is him saying I know this is my last year here, so I’m doing my thing to get a check somewhere else next year. O-line will make for us being what they are predicting or shocking the world. Like the potential though, Dunner.