2017 Dolphins preview: Guards

The Miami Dolphins want you to believe that they do not have a problem on the offensive line. Specifically at the guard position.

Viewing the current guard situation in Miami, it’s clear that they have taken steps to improving the position but have they done enough? The team is banking on health, experience, and good old fashion luck when it comes to the offensive line. Particularly the guards.

When the Dolphins opted to move Branden Albert and his large salary this past off-season, the common knowledge was that Tunsil would move outside to his natural left tackle position to take his spot. I told you to remember those lines. I wasn’t kidding.

The move of Tunsil left a hole at the left guard position. Have the Dolphins done enough to fix it as they have maintained?

Isaac Asiata: 

The 4th round draft pick has a lot of potential and plays mean. Something the Dolphins haven’t had since Richie Incognito. Who by the way is still playing at a solid level in the NFL (thanks Jon Martin). Asiata is not penciled in to start. He needs to work on technique, footwork, speed, and hand position. Add to that leverage and power and he has a long way to go.

The upside is that Asiata has the potential and the Dolphins are hoping he finds a rhythm quicker rather than slower.

Jermon Bushrod:

Set to retire after the 2016 season, Bushrod was so impressed by what Adam Gase was doing he decided to come back for another season. Bushrod is the best guard the Dolphins have on the roster and while he is good he can still be inconsistent but that could have a lot do with the changes at center when Mike Pouncey missed time and the inconsistent play of Ja’Wuan James.

The good news is that Bushrod is a solid and serviceable right guard option who can also slide outside to play tackle if need be.

Kraid Urbik:

Urbik will appear both here and our center preview as he, Anthony Steen, and Ted Larsen are listed as both. Urbik’s real position for Miami will be guard depth but he will also compete against Larsen for the starting left guard position.

Urbik is neither good nor bad but somewhere in between. He plays better with more reps but how much better is unknown.

Ted Larsen:

The Dolphins signed Larsen this off-season and he is the defacto starting left guard as it stands today. Larsen has had a solid if unspectacular career in his 8 NFL seasons and Miami could be his last stop. With starting experience, the Dolphins are banking on his ability to lock down the left side with Laremy Tunsil and frankly with Tunsil on his left and Mike Pouncey on his right, he just may play above his previous seasons.

Anthony Steen:

The Dolphins have him listed as both guard and center but his value will be more at center and we will cover him there.