Jesse Davis could be the answer at right tackle

When the Miami Dolphins signed Jesse Davis he was going to be a project and he wasn’t a lock to make the roster. He did and now could be the future at right tackle.

There is no question that Davis has struggled throughout this year but the Dolphins are really high on his potential. Not that Miami has a reputation of being able to scout offensive lineman. With Davis’ arm length and build, he could however surprise fans.

This season particular attention has been made to watch the offensive line group. Omar Kelly of the Sun-Sentinel has repeatedly said that Mike Pouncey is the best offensive lineman on the unit and that really doesn’t say much. Pouncey has been erratic and frankly he has lost that first step off the snap which is critical for a center.

Davis is unique however. He is an undrafted rookie who is getting a lot of playing time and appears to be heading for a final six game stretch as the starting right tackle. Adam Gase believes he can play both tackle and guard. He will need to improve considerably if the Dolphins are going to hand him the starting job in 2018.

Ja’Wuan James is on IR and if Davis can progress through the final six weeks James may not have a job in Miami. The Dolphins picked up his 5th year option but they can rescind it at any time. The problem with James is he is more one-dimensional. A stout pass protecting right tackle, James struggles with the edge on rushing plays. Something Davis is better at.

Make no mistake, Davis isn’t without his problems and there are a lot of them. His foot work needs work and he needs to start using his upper body more instead of relying on his arm reach to keep defensive ends from getting by him. But there is potential.

If Davis can get more consistent he should be able to secure the right side. One thing Davis does well is drive defenders off the line. He gets to the second level and seeks out linebackers. When he is lead blocker on a rush, he can seal the gap to the outside and create a running lane. Again, consistency is the key. He needs to do this every play with the same effort.

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It is hard to see what exactly Davis can do because he suffers from inconsistency at other line positions. When at guard he has had to deal with Pouncey who has struggled at times but more importantly he has struggled with James on the right and Tunsil’s struggles on the left. In other words no one is picking up his slack and he isn’t seasoned enough to pick up theirs.

At right tackle he isn’t going to find a lot help either. Jermon Bushrod has struggled this year as well and the depth across the line is suspect. Davis may not become a legit starter in the NFL and the Dolphins very easily could be wrong in their assessment of him and his abilities.

For now it’s all on Davis. He needs to take the next steps and prove that he is the man who can take over the right side and lock it down for the foreseeable future. The Dolphins need him to succeed. An overhaul along the line could be coming in 2018. In fact it should.

James is slated to make $9.3 million in 2018 and Pouncey is scheduled to make $9 million as well. Neither player is playing at a $9 million level. If both are replaced Miami would be much better served having a suitable replacement for one of those on the roster now. Why? Because Miami is also going to have to find suitable guard options too.

The only player on the offensive line that is, as of today safe, is Laremy Tunsil and he too needs to figure out his game or he won’t be around for 2019. Miami is banking on players like Jesse Davis and maybe a Jake Brendel who should get more work at center as well.

2018 is going to be an interesting off-season without doubt so it will be interesting to see if Davis can become that player who can make the off-season a little easier.

UPDATE: With Jermon Bushrod out this weekend Davis will slide to right guard and Sam Young will start at right tackle. Not an ideal situation.