Miami Dolphins

We credit Pro Football Focus, STATS LLC and Football Outsiders with OL performance data

Like their peers, the Bills and the Jets, Miami has had a poor offensive line the last few seasons. In an attempt to rectify the issue, the team has used four high draft picks on linemen over the last three years. It also acquired stalwart OT Branden Albert prior to the 2014 season. Albert looked like everything the team had hoped for before blowing his ACL in his first season with the Dolphins.

During free agency this offseason, the team re-signed OT Jason Fox, signed C JD Walton, and let OG Shelley Smith walk. Former underperforming center Samson Satele is an unsigned free agent.

Projected Starting Lineup

Branden Albert, LT 6’5″ 320 pounds– In the final stages of recovery from a nasty late-season knee injury, Albert is not a lock to be ready for Week 1, all reports of his recovery have been positive though, has always been a good pass blocker, has really blossomed as a run blocker in his first year with Miami, it’s uncertain and more likely improbable that Albert returns to his fullest form early in the season

Dallas Thomas, LG 6’5″ 315 pounds– RD3 pick 2013, played 695 snaps last season at LG/RG/RT, was arguably the league’s worst offensive lineman on a per-snap basis, graded poorly across the board and didn’t appear to be any better at OG than OT, was equally poor in both run and pass at all positions

Mike Pouncey, C 6’5″ 305 pounds– NFL’s highest paid center at 26 years old, two-time Pro Bowler (2013/2014), did not play as well in 12 games at RG in 2014 but still made pro bowl, sliding back to natural position at C this season where he’s shown ability to dominate, a miscreant as a human being

Billy Turner, RG 6’5″ 302 pounds– RD3 pick in 2014, played very little as a rookie, a small school prospect who was lauded for his potential after the Senior Bowl, we were never completely sold, he’s a prospect we always believed had terrific upside on the left side of the line but worry about his ability to maul on the right side

Juwan James, RT 6’6″ 315 pounds– RD1 pick 2014, glowing reports of his development in year two are coming out of Miami, a prospect we loved in 2014, had a rough rookie year, was significantly better in his starts at RT where he flashed some positive ability in run game, NFL Draft Expert Mike Loyko was smitten w/James as RT prospect, played every game of his college career at RT

Notes-

This is a B- starting lineup to begin the season if Branden Albert returns anywhere near to form. It should be a better group than last year. We see good overall depth as injury insurance, as well as competition to solidify the OG spots.

For an offense that wasn’t half bad in 2014, this is pretty good news that should only make them better. The fantasy beneficiaries will be QB Ryan Tannehill, RB Lamar Miller, WR Jarvis Landry, TE Jordan Cameron– and rookie WR DeVante Parker . All of whom, we expect to see increased production from last year.

Depth-

Jason Fox- has flashed ability at RT, 27 yr old can play both OT spots
Sam Brenner- in 2013 started some at LG graded negatively but not terrible, has experience
Jeff Linkenbach- offers positional versatility and has starter experience, has been overall a below average performer but has flashed at times, a good depth player who may challenge at OG
J.D. Walton- a back up C was poor in a starting role with NYG
Jamil Douglas- 2014 RD4 Draft pick, NFL Draft Expert Mike Loyko writes:

“Douglas is a durable, experienced player that projects to move back inside to Guard at the NFL level. He has an attractive body type for the NFL game. He’s lean, long, and incredibly strong for his body type. Douglas is a weight room warrior at Arizona State, earning many accolades and records during his time on campus. That strength shows up with his ability to finish blocks and plant defenders on their backside. Although he’s powerful he doesn’t translate that strength to the point of attack. Seems content to wall off and stop his feet after contact. Douglas has good range and can get out of his stance to pull in either direction. He looks like a good fit for a zone blocking scheme because of his agility to block and secure on the move. Douglas offers some position versatility as he’s played both Left Tackle and Left Guard. Needs to show more urgency after initial contact. Douglas is a day three pick with starter potential.”