The Dolphins need offensive line help. Here’s who stood out at the Senior Bowl
Chris Grier issued the edict early.
“We’re going to have to invest in the offensive line now,” the Miami Dolphins general manager said Jan. 7 at the end-of-season news conference, later comparing the franchise’s mind-set to that of “few years ago with Austin [Jackson] and Rob Hunt and Solomon Kindley and stuff, this is the time for us to again start investing in some offensive linemen.”
Less than a month later, Grier and Co. were at the Reese’s Senior Bowl in Mobile, where some of the best upperclassmen in the country gathered Tuesday for the start of practices. The Dolphins likely came to get a better evaluation of four main prospects — University of Miami’s Jalen Rivers, Louisiana State University’s Emery Jones, Purdue’s Marcus Mbow and Missouri’s Armand Membou — the latter of whom was absent due to an illness, according to ESPN. Specifically, the Dolphins need to fill both guard spots with the trio of Robert Jones, Liam Eichenberg and Isaiah Wynn no longer under contract.
Of the three seniors who were present Tuesday, Rivers impressed the most. He allowed only a single pressure in 1-ion-1 situations and consistently drove back opposing defensive lineman. Even better: he flashed a bit of the versatility that the Dolphins value as he lined up at right tackle, right guard and even center.
“This past year, I went from left tackle to left guard every series,” Rivers said Tuesday, explaining that he “feels comfortable at every spot” along the O-line yet “people told me that I’ll see success at probably guard.”
Asked about the possibility of the Dolphins picking him and he flashed a big smile.
“Wouldn’t have to move,” Rivers quipped.
Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel talked about the importance of cross-training offensive linemen prior to the regular season.
“Position versatility is absolutely paramount if you aren’t starting because we can’t dictate the terms on injuries in general and where those opportunities will present themselves,” McDaniel said July 31. “So you have to give them an opportunity to make the team if they’re in the competition mode for their role and then eventually you have to give them a chance to start at that position.”
Both Jones and Mbow had up-and-down days. For a player ranked in the top 80 on Bleacher Report’s draft board, Mbow looked a bit lost at times. He consistent got beat in 1-on-1s whether at both right guard or right tackle. On his first scrimmage snap, he committed a false start then proceeded to not allow a pressure for three straight plays before finally a defensive linemen burst through, effectively ending what had been a pretty solid effort.
Mbow chalked up his performance to rust — the 21-year-old hadn’t played since Purdue’s 66-0 thrashing courtesy of Nebraska in late November.
“It felt good knocking off the rust,” Mbow said.
Another top-80 prospect according to Bleacher Report, Jones came to Mobile specifically to showcase that versatility that could potentially make him a Day 2 selection. He, however, allowed several pressures during 1-on-1s but had a great, downhill block in the scrimmage that opened up the hole for the tailback to get to the next level. Jones too deemed his performance a bit rusty due to his last game being Dec. 31.
“It was fun,” Jones said of his first day. “The game was moving fast at first and I kind of felt like I was starting to knock off the rust and the game got slower again. It felt normal a little bit towards the end of practice, and I’m just going to come out tomorrow with the mindset to dominate.”
Although all three prospects will certainly look to have a better Wednesday practice, all eyes will be on Membou’s health. A top-30 prospect on draft boards from Bleacher Report to The Athletic, the Mssouri tackle’s status for the rest of the week is unclear.
