Miami Dolphins Draft Talk: Right Tackle Options

Sep 28, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Virginia Cavaliers offensive tackle Morgan Moses (78) during the first quarter against the Pittsburgh Panthers at Heinz Field. Pittsburgh defeated Virginia 14-3. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports

The Miami Dolphins have done a decent job of filling some holes along the offensive line this offseason locking up left tackle Branden Albert and guard Shelley Smith, but the team still needs a right tackle and potentially another guard or even two. With Dallas Thomas, Sam Brenner, and Nate Garner all still under contract with the team, Miami could opt to select one right tackle and go best player available (BPA) with their remaining picks – although that is not the best idea.

This year’s class is incredibly deep at tackle, but the value for a dominant guard really tinkers off after round 3. If Miami is hoping to find a dominant guard – I somehow have a bit of doubt – the team will need to spend a high pick in hopes that they pan out – why not give Dallas Thomas time at right or left guard to prove his worth? Right tackle, on the other hand, is a position where Miami could realistically wait until round 4 or even 5 to find “the guy”.

Here are some options in each round that Miami should be looking at to fill their right tackle void:

Round 1: Zack Martin, Taylor Lewan, Morgan Moses.

Analysis: I’m not a fan of over-drafting Moses at 19, but if the team could work a trade down scenario with a team such as Cleveland, San Francisco, Carolina, or any team wishing to jump ahead of Arizona and Cleveland to grab a quarterback in case of a free fall at the position I would be fine with Moses becoming Miami’s new right tackle in the late 20’s to early 30’s.

As for Lewan and Martin, at this point it would seem like a dream come true for either player to fall to 19 with offensive line needy teams stacked in front of the Dolphins. Teams such as Tennessee, St. Louis, both NY squads, Pittsburgh, and Baltimore which does not even include the top 10 teams all are in need of tackle help. Martin and Lewan both would be instant upgrades and instant starters for this squad, but don’t hold your breath Miami fans.

Round 2: Cyrus Kouandjio, Antonio “Tiny” Richardson, Morgan Moses, Joel Bitonio, Jack Mewhort.

Analysis: I am a huge fan of Richardson, who could step in and be the most dominant right tackle Miami has had in years, but the question remains if he will be available at 50. Both Richardson and Kouandjio are falling down boards due to durability concerns, but tackle will likely be in high demand so do not expect them to fall too far.

Moses would be an excellent option at 50 if he falls, but I see him as a late 20 to mid 40 guy at the latest. Bitonio has seen his stock rise ten fold in recent weeks and could be an interesting option at 50, but something tells me that he will be over drafted just a bit by a team needing offensive line help that fails to fill that void in round one.

Kouandjio would be an interesting option at 50 for two reasons. First off, he was one of the top rated tackles in this year’s class before an awful bowl game and a terrible lead-up to the draft. Secondly, Miami may even be able to grab him in round three as his knee concerns are causing teams to drop him off their first round board, I would not be surprised if he was there in round three.

Round 3: Cyrus Kouandjio, JaWuan James, Cameron Flemming, Billy Turner. 

Sep 7, 2013; Manhattan, KS, USA; Kansas State Wildcats offensive tackle Cornelius Lucas (78) waits to make a block during first-half action against the Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin Cajuns at Bill Snyder Family Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Sewell-USA TODAY Sports

Analysis: JaWuan James is a guy to monitor Miami fans. James’ stock has been rising as of late and could even push into round two. The former Tennessee right tackle has experience on the right side of the offensive line and would be an excellent plug and play option. Not to mention he fits the bill of what Miami would like their offensive linemen to look and perform like. Keep an eye on this guy.

Cameron Flemming is an interesting prospect, but I don’t think he fits what Miami would like in their offensive linemen. He failed to live up to expectations at Stanford and reminds yours truly a bit of Jonathan Martin in that he possesses a very “soft” body and just looks too soft. Definitely a pick I would throw my arms up over.

Billy Turner is a prospect who not only would fit Miami’s ideal offensive lineman, but would also give the team the flexibility to shift him inside to guard. At 6’5, 315 lbs. Turner has the ideal size for a dominant guard and ‘okay’ size as a right tackle. I’m getting the feeling that Miami would like a mammoth right tackle in the 6’7 range, however.

Round 4: Michael Schofield, James Hurst.

Analysis: Both these players have the ideal body type that Miami likes, but Hurst would be the pick in this round if Miami was to wait until round 4. Hurst has a great body with good size to him, but is coming off a nasty knee injury. If not for that injury, we may have been talking about this guy in round one.

Round 5: Seantrel Henderson, Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, Justin Britt.

Analysis: Don’t sleep on this kid from Canada, Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, who has been on the rise after coming out of nowhere. He has excellent size at the position and could become a nice addition to any squad looking for an athletic, young big man.

Seantrel Henderson is a mammoth right tackle who failed to live up to expectation as a Miami Hurricane. Henderson has questionable work ethic and conditioning/weight management concerns. Don’t put all of your faith in this guy as your top right tackle option, Miami.

Round 6: Meh.

Analysis: There isn’t much value in round 6, but expect some tackles to either drop or be over drafted from round 7.

Round 7: Cornelius Lucas

Analysis: Cornelius Lucas is in that mammoth category with Henderson coming in at 6’8, 316 lbs. Siddoway would be an interesting pick in round seven as he realistically could come in and challenge for a starting role immediately.

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