Dolphins draft preview: After locking down left tackle, Tua Tagovailoa’s blindside is next
The Dolphins found an answer to the most valuable position on the offensive line by signing left tackle Terron Armstead to a five-year, $75 million deal in free agency. They’re still seeking an answer, however, to the most valuable position on their offensive line: right tackle, aka, quarterback Tua Tagovailoa’s blindside.
As the Dolphins are underway with their offseason workout program, they have a pair of in-house candidates but no legitimate solution to a position that troubled them throughout 2021. New coach Mike McDaniel hasn’t committed to any position on the offensive line other than Armstead at left tackle.
What do the Dolphins need?
A few weeks into the start of the new league year, the Dolphins released veteran tackle Jesse Davis, a respected leader in the locker room who struggled at right tackle in 2021. Liam Eichenberg and Austin Jackson, who started most of the past season at left tackle and left guard, respectively, figure to compete for the starting tackle spot in 2022.
McDaniel, though, said he’s still in the process of seeing how players respond to the new offense — particularly the zone running scheme — he’s implementing. Even if one of the returning players wins the battle for the right tackle position, the Dolphins could use depth at both tackle spots with players who fit their scheme.
New offensive line coach Matt Applebaum detailed some of the traits the team is looking for in an offensive lineman playing in this specific offense.
“There’s a certain level of athleticism needed to play in the run scheme we’re talking about,” Applebaum said in February. “Like a twitchiness, suddenness, ability to bend, change directions. You obviously need a certain level of size, too. There’s a premium on a certain level of athlete. There’s a mental processing that I think is important regardless of scheme. And a physical toughness.”
Here are offensive tackles the Dolphins could target in the draft:
Washington State’s Abraham Lucas
Why he’d fit: The 6-6, 315-pound Lucas is an experienced pass protector. Playing in pass-heavy offenses, Lucas had 2,195 career pass-blocking snaps and allowed just 49 pressures, according to Pro Football Focus. A four-time All-Pac 12 selection after redshirting his freshman year, Lucas started 42 consecutive games at right tackle and has great size and mobility — his 4.92 40-yard dash was in the 94 percentile for tackles — for the position.
Why he might not: Lucas has limited reps as a run blocker, which is expected to be the focal point of McDaniel’s offense. Despite his robust work in pass protection, Lucas’ technique, more specifically refraining from keeping his hand placement too wide, needs to be improved. He’s likely not a Day 1 starter but has some upside.
Projection: Round 2-3
Ohio State’s Nicholas Petit-Frere
Why he’d fit: Petit-Frere may not be an instant starter but would provide depth at both tackle spots. He started seven games at right tackle and was named second-team All-Big Ten in 2020 then started 12 games at left tackle and was first-team All America in 2021. At 6-5 and 316 pounds, Petit-Frere has the ideal size for either tackle position and played in an Ohio State offense that specialized in zone runs and run-pass options, which are expected to be used heavily with the Dolphins.
Why he might not: Petit-Frere needs to get stronger in his core to better face bull rushers in the NFL and finish blocks in the running game. His worst games in 2021 happened to be against the likes of Michigan and Penn State, who both have NFL-level edge rushers in this year’s draft.
Projection: Round 3-4
Penn State’s Rasheed Walker
Why he’d fit: Walker has prototypical size for a tackle — 6-5, 313 pounds — and moves well with light feet that likely come from his roots as a boxer. He plays with a mean streak in the run game that borders on excessive, i.e. his NSFW block against Maryland in 2020. Although Walker started all 32 games at left tackle in college, he was a three-year starter at right tackle in high school.
Why he might not: While Walker’s athletic traits jump out, he can get lax in his technique, leading him to be knocked off balance. This also led to struggles reacting to stunts and delayed pressures. Walker missed the final three games of the 2021 season with a meniscus tear and didn’t complete any athletic testing at the NFL Scouting Combine or his Pro Day. Any interested team will have to see where he is medically in the pre-draft process.
Projection: Round 3-4
Louisiana’s Max Mitchell
Why he’d fit: Mitchell, 6-6 and 307 pounds, was a three-year starter and started 29 games at right tackle in college. He was named second-team All-Sun Belt in 2020 and first-team all-conference in 2021. Playing in a zone running scheme throughout his college career, Mitchell was PFF’s highest-graded offensive tackle this past season and is regarded as a good pass-blocker with quality hand placement.
Why he might not: Mitchell will need to get stronger to hold his own against NFL defensive linemen and despite his smaller frame, his athletic testing was average.
Projection: Round 4
Southern Utah’s Braxton Jones
Why he’d fit: Jones, 6-5 and 310 pounds, has long, 35-inch arms that — matched with his large upper body — give him an advantage as a run blocker. A two-time All-American at the Football Championship Subdivision level, Jones started 29 of 30 games at left tackle. He also has the functional speed and quickness to move in space and get to the second level.
Why he might not: Jones’ upright stance and lighter lower body leave him susceptible to being overpowered at times; he’ll need to add more power there. He’ll likely need to work with an offensive line coach before he’s ready to play NFL snaps. The lower level of competition — he only played one game against a Power Five program — is also a question.
Projection: Round 3-4
This story was originally published April 12, 2022 at 9:36 AM.
