Free agent offensive guards the Dolphins should consider
The drafting of Laremy Tunsil with the 13th pick in the draft was a good first step toward improving the Dolphins’ offensive line. To continue that work, the Dolphins should continue to be active in free agency.
Matt Slauson, arguably the best free agent guard that became available on the market following the draft, has now signed with the San Diego Chargers. Nevertheless, May 12 signals the beginning of a new free agency period, as the NFL will not count free signings after that date against a team in computing its compensatory draft picks for the 2017 draft. With that in mind and offensive right guard still a concern, here are three free agent guards the Dolphins should consider.
Louis Vasquez was drafted by the Chargers in the third round of the 2009 NFL Draft after playing college football at Texas Tech. In 2013, Vasquez signed a four-year contract with the Broncos. He became the Broncos’ starting right guard for the past three seasons and made the Pro Bowl after not allowing a sack in 2013. Nevertheless, the Broncos released him in March in a salary cap move. Bringing Vasquez to Miami would reunite him with Adam Gase, the Broncos’ offensive coordinator in 2013-14.
Jahri Evans was drafted by the Saints in the fourth round of the 2006 NFL Draft after playing college football at Bloomsburg. By 2010, Evans established his reputation as one of the NFL’s best offensive guards, convincing the Saints to sign him to a seven-year, $56.7 million contract. On February 8 of this year, however, the Saints waived Evans, two days before he would have been due a $3 million roster bonus. Evans’ four-time, first-team All-Pro selections and 153 games started could provide the bolster the Dolphins need from the right guard spot.
More from Dolphins Free Agency
- Miami Dolphins defensive free agent upgrades and downgrades
- Dolphins climb into top 10 in post-free agency power rankings
- Miami Dolphins free agency a successful whimper rather than a failed roar
- Ranking Miami Dolphins most impactful free agent signings of 2023
- 5 prominent former Miami Dolphins still on the NFL FA scrap heap
Amini Silatolu was drafted by the Panthers in the second round of the 2012 NFL Draft after playing college football at Midwestern State University. Starting 28 games for the Panthers and playing in 34 games overall, Silatolu was placed on injured reserve with an injured left knee in November and was not resigned when his contract expired. Although his past injuries cause some concern, Silatolu has at times been compared with Jahri Evans, meaning the Dolphins should consider him as an alternative player who could provide competition, depth, or perhaps even a starter at the right guard spot.