Examing Phins Offensive Line Options With 13th Pick

Just in case you haven’t noticed: Phins have holes along the Offensive Line

The Miami Dolphins Offensive Line has a few gaping holes… so expect them to boost the unit through the draft.

Now, to be a Debbie Downer, Miami has had these holes for years… and they’ve either drafted poorly or dismissed the need entirely with only a few exceptions.

Lucy, Charlie Brown, and a football comes to mind.

Rational expectations and the Phins haven’t been synonyms in years

Good News: The small sample size of decisions from Chris Grier so far offers hope that the madness is about to get a good dose of sanity.

Fingers crossed. No Whammies.

While all fans know we need linemen, they are split on which side of the ball is more crucial to fix in the 1st Round… some even say it’s Quarterback or bust.

There’s no doubt that the Offensive Line is the most important unit in the game, but this doesn’t mean the Phins must take one at #13.

Yet, better safe than sorry could be prudent wisdom.

For the more risky types (like me), this draft has such depth of talent in the trenches that only a few players falling should make Miami stand pat and pick where they are. If a trade down is available, pulling the trigger and taking the extra picks could be a big boost in filling out Miami’s thin lines.

Miami can find plenty of defensive and offensive line talent in the bottom third of the 1st Round all the way to the 4th… or maybe 5th.

Phinsnews recently went over the Defensive Tackle talent in the 1st Round, so it’s time to look at players who could fill Miami the other glaring need of Offensive Line.

‘Top’ Offensive Line options in Round #1:

Andre Dillard – OT 6’5’’ 315 lbs

Dillard is a pass-blocking Tackle best suited on the left side. His pass protection is the best in the country with a PPF efficiency rating of 99.1. In 2018 he allowed 1 sack, 3 QB hit, and 11 pressures with 4 penalties committed.

His downside is his run blocking which ranked 84th. Daniel Jeremiah of the NFL evaluates him as, “more of a finesse, wall-off player than a people-mover“.

Laremy Tunsil fills this role. Could Dillard be his eventual replacement? This pick would then be a lateral move rather than advancing the team. Because of this, Flores’ desire to run the ball, and Tunsil’s improvements, I don’t see Dillard as an option at #13.

Comparable Later Round player: Max Scharping

Jawaan Taylor – OT 6’5’’ 312 lb

Taylor is a run blocking Right Tackle who is a tad smallish for a road grader and only managed 24 reps of 225 lbs at the combine. Still, he’s nasty, long-armed (35”), wide-bodied, and ranked 26th in the country in run blocking success against good competition.

In pass protection, Taylor showed an excellent ability to deal with the pass rush as well. His weakest issue was outside pressure where he was ranked 16th by PFF.

Teams are split on whether he’s a Guard or Tackle at the next level.

Taylor is reminiscent of former Right Tackle Ja’Wuan James. I think the Jags take him at #7.If they don’t, the comparison with the Dolphins former RT has me wondering if Taylor is the best option at #13.

Comparable Later Round player: Cody Ford

Dalton Risner – OT 6’5’’ 312 lb

Risner doesn’t get much love from NFL mock drafts, but this 4-year starter had a dominant a season with 1 penalty committed and 3 QB hits, 2 hurries, and 0 sacks. In his entire college career, Riser has only allowed a mind-boggling 1 sack, 5 hits, 23 hurries, and flagged 12 times.

Risner is Top 12 in all major categories except bull-rush pressure where he is ranked 38th.

Of all the ‘top’ possibilities, Risner intrigues me the most. He can play either tackle spot or Left Guard. Risner also started as a Center, so he could fill in there as well if needed.

NFL scouts had this to say about him, “Risner is the same player on every snap with core strength, body control, and strong hands, allowing him to succeed on a relatively consistent basis.”

I’m sold… maybe even at #13.

‘Second’ Tier Options:

OT Cody Ford – OT 6’3’’ 329 lbs

Ford has only been a starter for one season, but it was a good one. He gave up only six pressures all season his only sack allowed came in the playoffs.

Jeremiah had this to say about Ford in the run game (ranked 45th by PFF), “He’s more of a stalemate blocker on the front side, but he has the athleticism to work up to the second level, and he can efficiently cut off on the back side of runs.”

Ford only managed 19 reps at the combine. That’s a poor showing for such a big man. This doesn’t speak well about his commitment to training… although it’s not an indictment.

Ford is a Right Tackle and would work nicely on the opposite side of Tunsil, but he certainly isn’t worth the #13 pick. Given his limitations and limited time as a starter, his value is better in the 2nd or 3rd Round.

Jonah Williams – OT 6’4’’ 302 lbs

Somewhat smallish, the debate among teams is whether Williams is a Guard or Tackle on the NFL level. Maybe he’s both? PFF love Williams and thinks he’ll be a real difference maker at either spot. The NFL Draft grade isn’t as hot predicting him to be a solid starter.

Graded as the 3rd highest run-blocker of Power-5 tackles, he has excellent technique and is a brutal blocker on the second level.

Miami has a big hole at Left Guard and lacks depth at Tackle. But at #13, he must end up a lot closer to his PFF Grade than his NFL scout one.

Garrett Bradbury – C 6’2’’ 306 lbs

Bradbury is a high-quality Center with tremendous strength putting up 225 lbs 34 times. In 2018, he allowed 2 sacks, 1 hit, and 10 hurries with 4 penalties.

He is at his best in outside zone rushing attack as he ran in college where he graded a dominant 84.0 run-blocking grade. But he has the athletic ability to be successful in any run schemes as well.

Now, Bradbury isn’t an option at #13, but he could be after a trade back. In the 2nd or 3rd Round though, Elgton Jenkins is a much better pick for the value. As a comparison, Jenkins allowed 1 sack, 0 hits, and 4 hurries with 1 penalty.

Quality Tackle picks in the 2nd Round:

With Richmond Webb calling out the pick in the 2nd Round of this year’s draft and so much Tackle talent after Round 1, it feels like a good bet with the pay per head bookie services like www.AcePerHead.com, that we pick our 1st linemen at (or near) that point.

While Risner intrigues me, players like Yodny Cajuste, Kaleb McGary, Chuma Edoga, Tytus Howard, Greg Little, and Max Scharping show strong potential to be quality picks in the 2nd and 3rd Rounds for the Dolphins.

This doesn’t take into account a load of Guard talent filling Rounds 2-4. No, there’s isn’t the obvious ultra elite Guard like a Gonzalez or Nelson, but there are plenty of players that offer excellent value and production in the mid rounds.

It’s because of the depth of talent in this draft that I hope Miami can trade back and pick up some extra picks mid rounds. Those extra ‘mids’ could easily fill this swiss cheese O-line. If Miami can’t figure it out this time… “fuhgeddaboudit“! Go Phins!!!