Dolphins 2016 offensive line preview: Laremy Tunsil
The Miami Dolphins signed offensive lineman Laremy Tunsil to a 4-year rookie contract in 2016. Tunsil is expected to serve as the team’s starting left guard in 2016.
Laremy Tunsil has been on the Dolphins’ roster since joining the team as its first round draft pick earlier this year. After being selected in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft, the team signed him to a four-year, $12.4 million rookie contract, including a $7.3 million signing bonus, the entire contract guaranteed, and an average annual salary of just over $3.1 million. The team’s drafting of Tunsil was aimed at giving the team a starter on the left side of the offensive line for years to come.
2015 review
Tunsil started all 6 of the games that he played in at Ole Miss during the 2015 season, making the All-America second team and SEC first team at left tackle after missing the first seven games due to the acceptance of impermissible benefits. In 2014, he also made the All-America second team and All-SEC first team despite missing multiple games first for a torn bicep and then for a fractured fibula. During his freshman year in 2013, Tunsil played in 12 games, starting nine times at left tackle, receiving All-SEC and Freshman All-American honors.
Despite his limited collegiate experience, Tunsil impressed scouts enough during his career and in draft preparations that he was initially predicted to be the first overall pick. After trades by the Rams and Eagles meant quarterbacks would be selected first and second, Tunsil was still expected to be picked third or else in the top five. Then, mere minutes before the start of the NFL Draft, his twitter account posted a short video of him in a gas mask smoking from a bong (see, for example, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AvCS-NEm7Mk). With that, the Dolphins managed to pick up this talented player with the 13th pick.
2015 stats
6 starts in 6 games played at left tackle for Ole Miss.
2016 preview
Tunsil comes into camp with an outstanding combination of size, athleticism, and technical skills. He excels in pass protection, exhibiting excellent body control and balance while deftly handling edge rushers. As a run blocker, Tunsil possesses the strength, quickness, and agility to excel. He allowed only 2 sacks in 29 games at left tackle, so he should protect Tannehill’s blindside for years to come.
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With Branden Albert healthy, the expectation is that Tunsil will start at left guard and play there for as long as Albert remains healthy and with the team. His talent, aggressiveness, strength, and quickness have all been evident to his coaches and teammates on the practice field so far. While Tunsil’s talent and work ethic might not be questioned, his biggest challenge heading into this season might be making certain that off-field distractions, such as continuing questions regarding impermissible benefits still being raised by his stepfather (http://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/laremy-tunsils-stepfather-details-ole-miss-alleged-extensive-extra-benefits/), do not affect his on-field status or performance.
Professional career
Tunsil was the Dolphins’ first-round draft pick (13th overall) in the 2016 NFL Draft.