Miami Dolphins calling around on this position where they need help. And the options
The Miami Dolphins know they have fixed left guard with Ereck Flowers. They know they have a starting center for 2020 with Ted Karras.
What they don’t know, at this point, is who will emerge as the starter at right guard and whether Karras — or perhaps a player drafted this year — will emerge as Miami’s long-term starting center.
This month’s NFL Draft has some decent options at guard and center, though the class doesn’t possess many surefire starters or any certain top-40 options, aside from possibly Michigan center Cesar Ruiz.
“Interior OL class is very average,” NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah said. “The three guys I really like: Cesar Ruiz of Michigan, Lloyd Cushenberry of LSU and Robert Hunt of Louisiana [formerly Louisiana-Lafayette].”
With cap space snug for Miami, the hope would be to find an interior lineman who could compete with Michael Deiter, Shaq Calhoun and Danny Isidora for the right guard job, and perhaps a center (with guard flexibility) to groom behind Karras, in case Karras is injured or if the sides part ways after the 2020 season.
Exploring the options in the draft:
GUARDS
▪ Michigan’s Ben Bredeson: The 6-5, 325-pounder is considered the best guard in this draft class, hails from a school the Dolphins like and was a third-team All American last season. He has 45 career starts, is a two-time team captain (Dolphins like that) and is known for his toughness (Dolphins like that, too).
What’s more, he didn’t allow a sack or quarterback hit in 451 snaps as a senior. But he played exclusively at left guard for Michigan, where Flowers thrived with the Redskins last season. So if the Dolphins don’t want to move Flowers to the right side, then drafting Bredeson would require a position switch.
“There are correctable elements in his game that should forge continued improvement, but there will be some bumpy roads against interior quickness,” NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein said. “He should become an average starter.”
He’s an option for the Dolphins with their picks at 56 and 70.
▪ Louisiana’s Robert Hunt: The 6-5, 322-pounder started the past two seasons at right tackle but began his career with 22 starts at left guard. He would offer position versatility to Miami, which the Dolphins value. ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. rates him the second-best guard in this class, behind only Bredeson.
The Dolphins appear interested; they wanted to bring him to team headquarters for a visit before the league canceled such visits.
“He’s a little raw but has the necessary talent to become a solid future starter at right tackle,” Zierlein said. He stands as a second- or third-round option for Miami.
▪ Oregon’s Shane Lemieux: Kiper rates him only the 10th-best guard in this class, but some others have him higher.
He started 52 games for the Ducks. “Lemieux is well-known for his toughness and intelligence,” Zierlein said. “He should be OK as a run blocker early on, but his issues in pass protection might not be quickly fixed and could push him into the ‘good backup, eventual starter’ category.”
▪ Louisiana’s Kevin Dotson: Hunt’s teammate was a first-team AP All-American at right guard last season but wasn’t invited to the NFL Combine. The Dolphins like him and wanted to bring him in for a predraft visit. Pro Football Network calls him “as complete as any guard in the 2020 draft class.”
He’s an option on Day 3 of the draft.
▪ Kentucky’s Logan Stenberg: Another third- or fourth-round option. He was the state of Alabama’s No. 2-rated offensive tackle out of high school but became a four-year starter at left guard. But he might be better suited to right guard in the NFL.
“He’s smart and aware in pass protection, with adequate recovery athleticism to battle edge-to-edge rushers,” Zierlein said. “He should be a capable NFL backup who can step in and hold up if he’s asked to step in and start.”
▪ Clemson’s John Simpson: A second-team AP All-American last season, Simpson (6-4, 321 pounds) started 29 of a possible 30 games at left guard the past two seasons.
“He plays with good technique and has the tools to become an early starter and a good NFL guard,” Zierlein said. Another third- or fourth-round option.
▪ LSU’s Damien Lewis: A junior college transfer, Lewis (6-2, 327 pounds) started 27 games at right guard for LSU during the past two seasons. So if Miami drafted him, he wouldn’t be asked to change sides.
“He’s a one-position prospect who lacks height/length but he’s a plus run blocker who should outperform his draft slotting,” Zierlein said.
▪ Ohio State’s Jonah Jackson: A grad transfer from Rutgers, Jackson (6-3, 306 pounds) started at left guard in his one season with the Buckeyes and was third-team All-American. He started 11 games at right guard for Rutgers in 2018. A potential fourth- or fifth-round option.
Zierlein’s take: “If a team can improve the hands and body control they might have something, but he’s more likely a backup option for teams targeting pass protection inside at guard or center.”
▪ Georgia’s Solomon Kindley: Made 32 career starts for the Bulldogs, playing left guard and right guard. He started 11 games at left guard last season.
Zierlein’s take: “The size and toughness are great, but Kindley needs to play with better control and technique in order to become an average NFL backup.”
▪ Other names of note: Michigan’s Michael Onwenu (Dolphins showed some interest); Fresno State’s Netane Muti, Clemson’s Treymayne Anchrum, Indiana’s Simon Spepaniak, San Diego State’s Daishawn Dixon and Arizona State’s Cohl Cabral.
CENTER
There are five prospects that are second-day possibilities, all with the ability to play guard, too:
▪ Michigan’s Ruiz: He made 30 college starts, working at guard and center.
Kiper has him 27th in his mock draft, and NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah rates him 37th, adding “Ruiz is an extremely consistent, physical and aware center.”
Both draft analysts have him as the highest-rated interior lineman in this draft. Zierlein said Ruiz “has early starting potential and should develop into a good pro with guard/center flexibility.”
The only way Miami could justify this pick at No. 26 would be if they believe he will be their starting right guard next season.
▪ Wisconsin’s Tyler Biadasz: Was the Rimington Award winner given to the top center in college football.
He started all 41 games of his career at center. But Zierlein cautions that “pass protection could be a concern, as NFL sub-rushers will feast on his lunging and average lateral quickness. Biadasz’s skill level has been developed, so he could become an early starter with limited upside.”
▪ LSU’s Lloyd Cushenberry III: Was an All-American last season, and Jeremiah said he’s a perfect fit for the Dolphins in the third round. He’s definitely a Day 2 possibility for Miami.
Zierlein notes that “LSU was frequently tasked with five-man protections in its passing scheme, which put Cushenberry on more of an island than he will see as a pro, so scouts should account for that. He’s a do-your-job prospect with the strength to handle an odd-front nose and could be a longtime starter.”
▪ Temple’s Matt Hennessy: Mostly worked at center for Temple, with some work at guard. The Dolphins scheduled a video conference session with him this month, so he’s definitely on their radar.
“Below-average physical traits could limit his suitors, but scheme fits will like the movement and intangibles he brings to the table,” Zierlein said. “He has early backup, eventual starter potential.”
▪ Wisconsin’s Nick Harris: Another player the Dolphins have booked for a video conference session.
He made 13 starts at right guard in 2017, then was All Pac-12 first team at center the past two seasons.
Zierlein: “His ability to sustain both run and pass blocks speak to his consistency of effort and performance, but size, scheme and positional limitations could cause him to drop lower in the draft than his actual tape would dictate.”
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Here’s my Dolphins-flavored piece on some of the second-tier quarterbacks in the draft.
Here’s my Dolphins-flavored piece on the top running backs in the draft.
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This story was originally published April 14, 2020 at 2:50 PM.
