Miami Dolphins guarantee UDFA Robert Jones 130K to sign with them

The Miami Dolphins are making some quiet moves in the undrafted free agent market but they really like Robert Jones, to the tune of $130,000 guaranteed.

Robert Jones is a 6′ 5″ offensive tackle that can play up and down the line, including center. The Dolphins did not draft a center over the three day draft. That is not to say that Jones is going to fill it, he will need a lot of development but the Dolphins like what they see in him.

Miami coaches got a good look at him during the Senior Bowl practices, Jones did not play in the game.

Jones has a 79″ wingspan which allows him to play well on the outside. The Dolphins drafted Liam Eichenberg in round two on Friday night and drafted Robert Hunt and Austin Jackson last year. Hunt is expected to move inside. The Dolphins also drafted Larnel Coleman out of UMass in round seven on Saturday.

The Dolphins are going to put competitive players on the field during off-season work and training camp and let them compete for starting jobs and depth roles. Jones has a fight ahead but the Dolphins, according to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, liked him enough to give him $130,000 guaranteed to sign with them. We all know that money and Miami doesn’t not guarantee roster spots.

Jones has a lot of work to do to make the Dolphins roster and will probably end up being a practice squad player at best. According to NFL.com, Jones believes he is better suited as a guard do to his weak footwork on the outside and inability to use his weight distribution correctly. While he started 11 of 12 games at tackle, there is no guarantee that he will be able to make the transition to the NFL edge rushers.

Regardless, Jones has potential but I wouldn’t be looking for an impact this year, Miami sees some solid potential and with an undrafted rookie, that’s pretty much all you can hope for.