Data, tidbits about left tackle Terron Armstead and league reaction to Dolphins signing
We’ve assessed what the Dolphins are getting with running backs Chase Edmonds and Raheem Mostert and wide receiver Cedrick Wilson Jr.
Here’s what they’re getting with their biggest catch of free agency, left tackle Terron Armstead, who agreed to a five-year, $75 million deal that could be worth as much as $87.5 million:
▪ Some reaction around the league:
NFL Net’s Bucky Brooks: “The 49ers’ offense went next level when Trent Williams came over. I’m not putting Terron Armstead in the same category but that veteran presence, they need that. If they’re going to be bullies in the AFC, they have to have someone to change the way the offensive line operates. Armstead gives them more attitude along with the the talent he brings.”
NFL Net’s Geoff Schwartz, the former NFL lineman: “This is a home run for the Fins.”
NFL Net’s Willie McGinest: “You’ve got a guy that can take the best pass rusher out of the game. And also good in the run game. Grateful what he [can do] for a young quarterback.”
▪ Pro Football Focus calls him the best free agent in this 2022 class and said “he has consistently been one of the best tackles in football since he was drafted in 2013, earning an overall grade above 75.0 in each season. While he’s graded better as a pass-blocker over his career, he’s not a liability in the run game by any means.
“There aren’t many weaknesses to Armstead’s game. He’s one of the position’s best pass-protectors and rarely loses in the run game across both gap and zone run concepts.
“We recently saw an elite tackle on the wrong side of 30 with injury concerns step into San Francisco’s offense and become the most valuable tackle in football. Armstead may not quite be Trent Williams, but he’s one of the best all-around tackles in the league and would make almost any offense better.”
▪ The one concern? Health.
He missed nine games last season with elbow and knee injuries. He underwent offseason knee surgery on Jan. 18.
He has missed at least six games in four of the past six years and has never been healthy for an entire season. Armstead played over 750 offensive snaps just twice in the first six seasons of his career, missing 26 games between his second and sixth seasons.
But he played 15 games in 2019 and 14 in 2020 before managing only nine last season.
But there’s no questioning his toughness. Saints reporter Nick Underhill tweeted this on Tuesday night: “People used to get on Armstead about his injuries but he was one of the toughest around. One time I was talking to him at his locker and asked about a chest injury. He never talked about injuries, but this time he did. He lifted up his arm and there was a hole in his armpit.
“Never missed a game [with that injury]. There was the time he played in multiple games with a broken thumb and played so well no one noticed for a few weeks.The injuries piled up over time, but the ones he didn’t let anyone notice were impressive. Team will miss him.”
▪ Armstead, who has made three Pro Bowls, allowed only one sack in 263 pass blocking snaps last season. In 2020, he relinquished three sacks in 492 pass blocking snaps.
In 2019, he allowed not a single sack in 583 pass blocking snaps. And in 2018, he permitted just one in 348 pass blocking snaps.
So that’s five sacks allowed in his last 47 games, which is exceptional.
For perspective, Dolphins left tackle Liam Eichenberg relinquished nine sacks last season and right tackle Jesse Davis eight.
▪ From a pressure standpoint, Armstead permitted only 12 pressures and two quarterback hits in his nine games last season.
So he was to be blamed for the quarterback being touched only twice in 263 instances on passing plays. That’s awfully impressive.
PFF’s Ryan Smith framed it this way: “He’s never allowed more than 25 pressures in any single season. He’s allowed just 131 pressures for his whole career.” For perspective, “in 2021, Eichenberg allowed 62 pressures while Davis allowed 57.”
Here’s where Armstead ranked in PFF’s pass blocking metrics the past seven years: third, seventh, sixth, second, fifth, fifth, fourth.
▪ His run blocking grades also have been good, though PFF rated his run blocking just 56th among 83 qualifying tackles last season.
PFF rated him 26th overall.
▪ NFL Network’s Shaun O’Hara, the former NFL offensive lineman, said recently: “He’s not just blocking defensive ends. He’s mauling them. He’s super athletic. His athleticism is only outdone by how physical he is. He’s got great feet. You can see the strength and the power. If you are struggling to protect your quarterback or want an injection of run game brutality, this is the guy that will bring it home.”
▪ This speaks to the difference Armstead makes: Last season, with Armstead in the lineup, New Orleans averaged 131 rushing yards and 26 points per game, compared with 107 rushing yards and 18.7 points when he was sidelined.
Former Saints coach Sean Payton, several years ago, said of Armstead: “There’s not a left tackle I would trade him for in the league. He’s smart, he’s athletic.”
▪ Armstead has committed only 15 holding penalties, 14 false starts and 32 total penalties in 93 games, which is very good.
▪ Armstead, 30, has spent his entire career in New Orleans, which made him a third-round choice in 2013. He owns the NFL combine record for running the fastest 40-time (4.71).
▪ Armstead will earn $32 million in the first two years of the deal. That accounts for much of the $44 million in guaranteed money.
This story was originally published March 23, 2022 at 10:30 AM.
