Phins invested on their O-trenches this offseason, so where do they stack up in the AFCE
If the Miami Dolphins are going to surprise people in 2026, it won’t start with flashy quarterback play or explosive receivers. It will start where games are traditionally won—up front.
After spending the offseason investing heavily in the offensive line and improving their blocking personnel, Miami enters the season with what could be its best trench unit in years. The question is whether that group is good enough to compete with the rest of the AFC East.
So, let’s examine the Phins trenches and the rest of the AFCE for comparison.
Phins O-line May Have One Stellar Side
The biggest reason for optimism is the left side of the offensive line. Rookie Kadyn Proctor has the physical tools to become a dominant guard, pairing with Patrick Paul to give Miami a powerful foundation. At center, Aaron Brewer remains a dependable centerpiece with elite aspects to his game, creating what has the potential to be one of the division’s strongest left-side combinations. If Proctor develops as expected, you can bet with the best pay per head sites that the Dolphins could possess the best run-blocking left side in the AFC East.
That optimism, however, comes with an important caveat.
The right side remains the biggest question mark. Austin Jackson’s durability continues to be a concern after another injury-filled offseason, while the coaching staff will need one of Savaiinaea or Jamaree Salyer to establish themselves as reliable starters. Until that happens, Miami’s offensive line projects as a unit with one elite side and one side still searching for answers.
The Phins also made meaningful improvements beyond the offensive line itself.
The additions of blocking tight ends such as Will Kacmarek and Greg Dulchich provide Miami with personnel capable of supporting a more physical rushing attack. While the Bills still boast the deepest tight end room in the division, Miami’s group represents a significant upgrade from previous seasons and should allow the offense to lean more heavily into two-tight-end formations and play-action concepts.
Trenches Are a Focus for ALL AFCE Teams
Within the division, Buffalo remains the clear standard.
The Bills combine a proven offensive line with arguably the AFC East’s deepest collection of blocking tight ends. Dalton Kincaid, Dawson Knox, and the rest of Buffalo’s tight end room give offensive coordinator Joe Brady tremendous flexibility in heavy personnel packages, keeping the Bills atop the division’s trench rankings despite a few questions at guard depth.
Behind Buffalo, however, things become much more competitive.
The Patriots possess intriguing depth but face questions surrounding injuries, player development, and consistency. The Jets feature talented offensive tackles and an emerging tight end group but still have concerns along the interior offensive line. That leaves Miami squarely in the conversation with both teams, with much of the final ranking depending on player development and health.
Not There Yet, but They Could be on Their Way
Ultimately, the Dolphins don’t need to own the AFC East trenches overnight. They simply need to become functional and physical enough to support the offensive identity this coaching staff wants to build.
If Patrick Paul and Kadyn Proctor become the foundation they appear capable of being, and if the right side stabilizes, Miami could field its strongest offensive front in years. That may not be enough to surpass Buffalo just yet, but it could be enough to establish a winning formula—and that’s exactly where the Dolphins’ rebuild needs to begin.
