Miami Dolphins: 3 Things to watch for in preseason opener

#2. Offensive Line Shuffle

Perhaps the Dolphins’ biggest question mark this upcoming season will be the offensive line. The experienced players on the roster are underwhelming, and the more talented ones still have some growing up and developing to do. Miami has spent plenty of capital trying to fix the offensive front for the last two seasons, and this will be an important year for development and a big step forward.

One of their off season acquisitions was offensive tackle Liam Eichenberg, a rookie second round draft pick out of Notre Dame. The Dolphins’ coaching staff had hoped that he would be the long-term solution to protecting Tagovailoa’s blindside, but things in training camp are looking a little different. Reports are that Eichenberg is instead practicing at left guard, while veteran Jesse Davis plays behind the left-handed quarterback at right tackle. This is a scenario that Miami was trying to move on from with their addition of the rookie.

There is also the battle for the center position. The Dolphins signed veteran Matt Skura to a one-year contract in the off season, and the starting job was his to lose. But Michael Deiter, who played just 22 offensive snaps last season, has been getting first team reps and is listed as the starting center on the first unofficial depth chart release. Saturday’s game against Chicago will give us a look at who Miami rolls out as the starters, and we’ll get a chance to see how well they perform as a unit.