Phin Phanatic
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Three players the Miami Dolphins could consider with the 18th overall pick

By Bradley Mauger

MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - JANUARY 11: Najee Harris #22 of the Alabama Crimson Tide runs the ball during the College Football Playoff National Championship football game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Hard Rock Stadium on January 11, 2021 in Miami Gardens, Florida. The Alabama Crimson Tide defeated the Ohio State Buckeyes 52-24. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images)
MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - JANUARY 11: Najee Harris #22 of the Alabama Crimson Tide runs the ball during the College Football Playoff National Championship football game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Hard Rock Stadium on January 11, 2021 in Miami Gardens, Florida. The Alabama Crimson Tide defeated the Ohio State Buckeyes 52-24. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images) /
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Dec 18, 2020; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans offensive lineman Alijah Vera-Tucker (75) during the Pac-12 Championship against the Oregon Ducks at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Oregon defeated USC 31-24. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 18, 2020; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans offensive lineman Alijah Vera-Tucker (75) during the Pac-12 Championship against the Oregon Ducks at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Oregon defeated USC 31-24. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

The Miami Dolphins may look to Alijah Vera-Tucker of USC to help the offensive line.

Expect fans to scoff at this pick, especially considering we used 1st, 2nd and 4th round picks on linemen last year with Austin Jackson, Robert Hunt, and Solomon Kindley. Now consider that Jackson and Kindley both graded in the bottom three starters at their respective positions, according to PFF.

Growing pains were to be expected, but the rising sophomores will need to show marked improvement for Tua to have any chance at success. The offense masked some blocking deficiencies with quick throws last season, but that style is limiting in the modern game.

With Ereck Flowers having been traded to Washington today, there is a hole to fill at guard. Robert Hunt may be slid inside, with D.J. Fluker inserted at right tackle to replace him. Regardless, the line is looking thin.

You can never have too much depth on the offensive line. We’ve seen how injuries upfront can torpedo games and entire seasons (see Kansas City in the Super Bowl, Philly, and Dallas’ 2020 woes that ensued after line injuries).

Sticking with the theme of versatility, Alijah Vera-Tucker has the size and experience to play tackle or guard. Austin Jackson’s USC teammate in 2019, Vera-Tucker played left guard. Once Jackson was drafted, he switched to left tackle and more than held his own.

At guard, nobody got around him. Once he got his hands on defenders, his leg drive kicked in. He routinely drove his man 8 yards downfield. Vera-Tucker also showed athleticism to get to the second level where he buried linebackers.

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At tackle, Vera-Tucker slimmed down slightly to optimally adapt to the demands of the position. Once again, he demonstrated that once he got his hands on his defender, he won the matchup. The only serious knock-on Vera-Tucker is his arm length, at 32 1/8”. What he lacks in length, he makes up with a good get-off, understanding of leverage, and strong hand placement.

In all likelihood, we would start out Vera-Tucker at left guard. As the season plays out, his versatility gives the team flexibility to mix and match to find the best combination of players upfront. While this pick won’t get many fans’ blood pumping, offensive line security crucial to the team’s success.

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