Trade deadline approaching; will the Miami Dolphins be buyers or sellers
By Kevin Hood
The left side of the 2021 Miami Dolphins offensive line has become less offensive due to the move of Liam Eichenberg to left tackle and Austin Jackson to left guard. Both men seem to be trending up in the new positions. There now appears to hope Austin Jackson may not be the bust he has been labeled over the last two years.
The same cannot be said about the right side of the offensive line. Struggling guard Robert Hunt has not been the dominant run blocker at right guard that many coaches and fans hoped for when he announced he would be moving inside to guard after an up and down year at right tackle.
Also, the Miami Dolphins have the two words no quarterback wants to hear when asking who is protecting their blindside. Jesse Davis. Davis’s poor play against Buffalo is to blame for second-year quarterback being placed on IR after leaving the game early against Buffalo following a clean but menacing hit from Bills’ defender AJ Epenesa came unblocked across Jesse Davis’ face running full speed into Tua.
The lack of good offensive line play on the right side will make an already one-dimensional Miami Dolphins offense predictable as to what side a running play will go to—making it near impossible to improve a bottom three rushing attack in the national football league.
Miami could move Robert Hunt back to right tackle, where he only surrendered eight penalties and three sacks during his rookie season. His 65.8 PFF grade also would signal his ability to play long-term at tackle since he has not performed well this season at guard.
If the Miami offensive coaching staff refuses to move Robert Hunt to tackle, they need to invest in someone to come in and hold the most critical position when Tua is healthy and playing.