Miami Dolphins: Roster spot competition on the offensive line
By Brian Miller
The Miami Dolphins typically keep their drafted players and that could bode well for 7th round pick Larnel Coleman.
Larnel Coleman is our first guy up and he probably stands the best chance to make the roster from these three players given the fact Miami invested a draft pick in him. While many 7th round selections can be considered “throwaway” picks, this regime puts value on their draft picks and so far, through two previous seasons of Grier/Flores drafts, only 5th round pick Curtis Weaver didn’t make the roster.
If this holds true in 2021, Coleman stands a really good chance of making the team. Here is what you need to know.
Positives:
- Quick feet with the ability to slide easily.
- Uses his upper body strength well
- Big hands and strong
- Does not tend to break his blocks and will consistently finish
- Plays both tackle spots
Negatives:
- Not consistent with hand placement on defenders allowing them to get closer to him
- Uses more upper body mechanics and doesn’t consistently use his lower body
- Needs to improve the use of his hands on outside rushers
Why he has a chance to make the team:
The draft position doesn’t always mean a player makes the roster but the Dolphins put a value on their selections and all things being equal, Coleman could benefit from that if he has a good training camp.
Players predicted to make the roster that could lose to Coleman:
- Jesse Davis – Davis is versatile but Miami could look at his contract vs. Coleman’s potential
- Adam Pankey – Pankey has been inactive most of his career with Miami and is 27 years old now.
- D.J. Fluker – Fluker has the ability to play inside or out but the Dolphins have a minimal investment in him and no guaranteed money.