Miami Dolphins could be looking for four new offensive lineman
By Brian Miller
The Miami Dolphins are rebuilding and it has been suggested they are rebuilding from the trenches and moving outwards. Offensive line is going to be a priority.
When the Miami Dolphins start the league new year it is not clear who will return to the roster. The Dolphins will cut some veterans to save cap space and get younger as well as releasing players that simply are not working to expectations.
One area that could take a hit is the offensive line. When the dust settles on free agency and the draft is complete, MIami could be looking at having perhaps four new offensive lineman.
Ja’Wuan James is an impending free agent and may not be re-signed. The right guard is a question mark where a platoon of players were not able to elevate the position last year. Daniel Kilgore‘s contract is not guaranteed and he spent last season on the IR.
Kilgore was brought in by Adam Gase and Mike Tannenbaum to replace Mike Pouncey who was released after being asked to take a paycut. At left guard, Josh Sitton spent the year on IR and has built a short history of injuries the last couple of years now. His contract is not guaranteed beyond $2 million. Releasing Sitton saves $5 million and releasing Kilgore saves another $2 million.
In reality, Kilgore is likely to return but he won’t be guaranteed the position. A starting center for $2.4 million isn’t all that bad.
The only guaranteed returning starter is left tackle Laremy Tunsil who is heading into the direction of great if he continues to play at his current level.
It will be interesting to see how the Dolphins attack the offensive line issues that have plagued the team for many years now. Finding the right players is not an easy task and if the Dolphins do opt to sit out most of free agency, it won’t be much easier but come the start of 2019 it is not implausible to think the Dolphins could have four new starters.