Miami Dolphins pass on Meneirz is telling on their Oline thoughts

The Miami Dolphins last night opted to pass on the last top-rated center in favor of another tight end and that sends a message they like their offensive line.

When Miami moved up for Liam Eichenberg in round two, it should have been the telling sign that they were not likely going to draft a center but as pick after pick moved off the board and the third round began, many fans were hoping for Quinn Meinerz to fall to pick 81. And he did.

The Dolphins came on the clock at pick 81 and many fans thought the pick would be for the Wisconsin-Whitewater center. Instead, Miami drafted one of the best all-around tight ends in Hunter Long. Meinerz would continue to slide to pick 98 where Denver made him their pick.

Electing to draft Long instead can be interpreted a few ways, they were not that high on him, they stuck to a “best player” mentality, and they like what they have on their offensive line. Truth be told, it is probably all three.

Miami Dolphins general manager Chris Grier said via a Zoom call after their first pick in round two that if you draft for needs you tend to reach. That implies that Miami was using their board and sticking to it as much as they could.

As for Meinerz, he has a lot of talent but he isn’t necessarily considered a day one starter and he fell quite a bit in round three. The talent is there but he will need to be coached up.

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With the addition of Eichenberg in round two, Matt Skura and D.J. Fluker as free agents, the Dolphins are pretty much set with quality depth entering the off-season. The Dolphins will have all three rookies from last year, Robert Hunt, Solomon Kindley, and Austin Jackson as well as Michael Dieter who has been playing center and the versatile Jesse Davis.

Overall, Miami not drafting Meinerz isn’t as big of a deal as many thought it was last night during the draft and looking at the Dolphins linemen it looks like it could become one of the best Miami has had in years. With or without that top center, and let’s remember, the Dolphins could have drafted Creed Humphrey in round two but opted for Eichenberg instead, that too should tell you they think they are good at the position.