Dolphins Q&A: How should Dolphins fill out offensive line after Armstead, Williams signings?

Here’s the latest installment of our Miami Dolphins Q&A, where South Florida Sun Sentinel writers David Furones and Omar Kelly answer questions from readers.

Q: Should we be worried that even with the O-line additions in FA that [Austin Jackson] is probably going to be protecting Tua’s blindside? And is that even an upgrade on Davis? — @SirScouser on Twitter

A: The presumption now with Terron Armstead and Connor Williams in place is that the free-agent acquisitions will handle the left side.

Armstead fits right in at left tackle and Williams at left guard, where they have played with their previous teams, the New Orleans Saints and Dallas Cowboys, respectively.

Although Williams said he’s not limiting himself to guard and feels versatile to either play tackle or snap the ball at center, it would feel natural to allow the newcomers to remain at the positions they’ve already primarily played.

Now, if right tackle becomes so problematic once the season starts that left-handed quarterback Tua Tagovailoa’s blind side is getting obliterated, maybe you revisit and possibly flip Armstead to right tackle to have your best blocker there. But to start, let Armstead and his mauling run-blocking style play the same position new Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel had Trent Williams playing in San Francisco.

Aside from Armstead and Connor Williams, the Dolphins know they have a solid piece in right guard Robert Hunt. Hunt also was a formidable right tackle his rookie season. That could be something to explore in competition that will include early picks from the past two drafts in Austin Jackson and Liam Eichenberg after veteran Jesse Davis, who played right tackle in 2021, was released on Thursday.

Jackson, the 2020 first-round pick, has struggled with his lateral movement in pass protection at left tackle. The previous coaching staff kicked him inside to left guard because of it.

Eichenberg, the rookie last season who was a second-round selection in 2021, handled left tackle for much of the season but struggled, as well. Now, the two youngsters both have veterans to replace them at last year’s positions. Preferably, either Eichenberg or Jackson takes the necessary stride to protect Tagovailoa’s blind side from the right tackle spot.

Robert Jones also cannot be written off. The undrafted rookie last year started the regular season finale for Davis and was solid. If none of them work, then you may have to dip into other options, like Hunt back at right tackle while you figure out right guard afterward.

At center, Michael Deiter won the job last training camp. Then, injuries caused him to miss nine games. The Dolphins could use an upgrade there.

J.C. Tretter is 31 and available after getting released by the Cleveland Browns. He has been solid in Cleveland, contributing to one of the league’s top rushing attacks. Tretter has started 16 games in each of his five seasons with the Browns, meaning he only missed one last year (17-game schedule), which was due to COVID.

Someone of the caliber of Tretter would immediately slide in as a starter, but if the Dolphins don’t clear enough space to fit him in, they could find cheaper options to compete with Deiter or draft one with a mid-to-late-round selection. Miami’s first 2022 draft pick, currently, is No. 102 at the end of the third round if no pics are added via trade.

While the idea of potentially having Jackson block at right tackle is worrisome for most fans, we also should reserve some level of judgment until we see if the infusion of new offensive line coach Matt Applebaum leads to a leap in his game or any of the other youngsters on the line.

Have a question?

Email David Furones, or tag @OmarKelly or @DavidFurones_ on Twitter.