Miami Dolphins 53-man roster predictions: The offensive line
By Brian Miller
The Miami Dolphins competition across the offensive line could be one of the best training camp competitions to watch this year.
Traditionally, the Dolphins keep eight or nine offensive linemen and this year shouldn’t be much different but there is good talent across the board and that is going to make for some very interesting cuts. So far, our predictions are two quarterbacks, four running backs, and four tight ends. Three players are on special teams and Nick Belotto predicted the 25 men on defense earlier this week. Is there room for an additional lineman? I think there might be a reason to keep 10 this year but the numbers may not work out.
Robert Hunt: Hunt will move inside to guard and that is a good position for him. He is embracing the opportunity and some have said the Dolphins believe he can develop into a Pro Bowl-caliber guard at some point.
Solomon Kindley: Kindley, like Hunt and Austin Jackson, had good and bad moments last year but he started as a rookie and should make significant improvement this year. He will compete for the other starting guard job.
Austin Jackson: Jackson has a lot of work to do but he showed a lot of promise in 2020 and should get better with a full season. Miami needs him to man the tackle position.
Matt Skura: The Dolphins are not deep at center so Skura needs to put behind him the problems he had a year ago while in Baltimore.
Liam Eichenberg: Eichenberg will compete for a starting job but the question is where? Some see him as the Dolphins’ best right tackle option while others think he is more suited for guard. If he is a guard, he will compete with Kindley.
Jesse Davis: Is there anyone more versatile on the Dolphins offensive line? Probably not. His veteran leadership can’t be stressed enough and he gives the Dolphins depth at both tackle and guard positions but will he challenge to start?
Larnel Coleman: The Dolphins love their draft class and despite the fact that Coleman was taken in round 7, he has a real shot to make this team but the numbers are not working in his favor. It will come down to his performance and the performances of D.J. Fluker and Michael Dieter in what should be an interesting camp situation.
Robert Jones: Jones has a lot of growth ahead of him but I’m not sure the Dolphins can release him and risk him being claimed off waivers. I think they keep him because they like him that much and his contract was guaranteed which would mean cutting him and re-signing him to the PS would cost them more money.
Michael Dieter: I wasn’t sure if Dieter would make the roster last year but I think he will this year. He will serve as the backup center and can also play guard. Miami isn’t ready to give up on him unless his training camp is absolutely horrible.
The offensive linemen who get cut.
D.J. Fluker: It was originally thought that Fluker was brought in to start but instead, he will provide depth along the offensive line. Fluker, in my opinion, is on the outside. If the Dolphins keep 10 linemen, he makes it. If they go with nine I think Fluker may be released. I think they take 9. While I don’t think Jesse Davis gets cut, he could very well end up swapping places with Fluker.
Cameron Tom: He has three years of experience but he needs to have a really good camp.
Tyler Gauthier: Practice squad candidate.
Durval Queiroz Neto: Neto will get another practice squad exemption as part of the NFL International program.
Jonathan Hubbard: Talented but too many other prospects in front of him.
Timon Parris: See Hubbard
Adam Pankey: I actually could see Pankey making the roster over Fluker, to be honest and this is one of those competitions to watch closely. The Dolphins have worked at developing him but are they ready to give up?