Miami Dolphins add to offensive line unit making tougher decisions ahead
By Brian Miller
The Miami Dolphins have swapped offensive lineman today and in doing so have set the stage for an incredible camp battle at the position. The already tough decisions that lie ahead when camp begins and winds down just got more interesting.
Miami announced today that they have signed former Patriot lineman Jermaine Eluemunor. Eluemunor was acquired by the Patriots in 2019 via a trade with the Ravens. At the time, he had started three games for Baltimore. While he appeared in 10 games with the Patriots his first season, he started 8 of 12 games last year with New England.
He has played guard and both tackle positions and adds more depth to a line unit that is also still quite young. The question is do the Dolphins view him as a legit backup and a member of the 53 man roster?
The Dolphins released Timon Parris who was picked up off waivers a few weeks ago.
We have signed offensive lineman Jermaine Eluemunor and waived tackle Timon Parris.
— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) June 14, 2021
It is going to make for an interesting training camp where the Dolphins will see significant competition for what should be about 9 players on the 53. We know that Solomon Kindley, Robert Hunt, Austin Jackson, and Matt Skura will all make the roster as will rookie Liam Eichenberg. That leaves potentially four roster spots, three if they carry eight.
Competing for those spots will now be Eluemunor, D.J. Fluker, Jesse Davis, Michael Dieter, Cameron Tom, Adam Pankey, and rookie 7th round pick, Larnel Coleman. Miami also signed undrafted free agent Robert Jones to a guaranteed contract in early May.
If the Dolphins keep Fluker and Eluemunor the final one or two spots will come down to Davis, Dieter, Tom, and likely one of the rookies. Miami really liked what they saw in Jones and they tend to keep their rookie class for at least a season.
What does the addition of Jermaine Eluemunor mean for Jesse Davis?
The addition of Eluemunor could put Davis’ Miami days in jeopardy. Davis is set to make $4.8 million against the cap this year. Releasing him now would save the Dolphins $3.85 million as a post-June 1 release.
Davis has the longest tenure of any Dolphins lineman and can play both tackle positions and guard as well. With the addition of Eluemunor, the competition for the primary backup job could come down to the two of them. This will be a must-watch camp battle for certain.