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The Miami Dolphins may have been able to fill at least three of the five positions on their offensive line this offseason.
Now, what does Miami do about each tackle position?
The Dolphins could select their next left tackle and right tackle of the future during the 2020 NFL draft later this month but prioritizing the positions will come down to Miami’s decision at quarterback.
If Miami drafts Alabama’s Tua Tagovailoa, the right tackle position becomes the most important on the Dolphins offensive line to protect the lefty quarterback’s blind side.
If the Dolphins trade up to No. 1 for LSU’s Joe Burrow or decides Utah State’s Jordan Love or Oregon’s Justin Herbert is a better option, the left tackle position remains a major need for Miami since Laremy Tunsil was traded away last year.
Now, here’s where it gets tricky.
Miami owns the No. 5, No. 18 and No. 26 picks in the first round of the 2020 NFL draft where the Dolphins could potentially select their next franchise quarterback, left tackle and right tackle on the first day of the draft. But offensive line needs could be met in later rounds of the draft, too.
It’s important to note which position each of the draft’s top offensive tackles have played during their college careers.
Of the four to five potential first-round tackles this year, four have experience at right tackle.
Alabama’s Jedrick Wills had 29 starts at right tackle and Iowa’s Tristan Wirfs started 30 of 34 games at right tackle, but both will likely be off the board between Miami’s No. 5 and No. 18 picks.
Louisville’s Mekhi Becton and Georgia’s Andrew Thomas, who could also be top-20 picks, played right tackle during their freshman seasons to get on the field but finished their college careers at left tackle.
Houston’s Josh Jones, a potential late first-round pick, had 39 starts at left tackle.
If the Dolphins were able to land either Willis or Wirfs, their right tackle position could be settled for the next five seasons, while Becton or Thomas could offer Miami the flexibility to play either player at left or right tackle.
Auburn’s Prince Tega Wanogho, USC’s Austin Jackson, St. John’s Ben Bartch, LSU’s Saahdiq Charles, Boise State’s Ezra Cleveland are some of the top left tackles in the draft, while TCU’s Lucas Niang, Georgia’s Isaiah Wilson, UConn’s Matt Peart and Auburn’s Jack Driscoll are among the top right tackles.
Here’s what we already know: Jesse Davis is Miami’s best returning offensive lineman. He started 12 games at right tackle last season and played every snap at right guard in 2018.
If the Dolphins take a right-handed quarterback, Davis could be a solid option at right tackle. If the Dolphins draft a lefty, Davis could be a viable right guard. His position flexibility is beneficial for him and the Dolphins.
Davis will be joined by free-agent signings in former New England Patriots center Ted Karras, who replaces Daniel Kilgore, and former New York Giants/Washington Redskins lineman Ereck Flowers, who will play left guard.
Michael Deiter, the 2019 third-round pick who played 15 games at left guard for the Dolphins last season, may have lost his starting spot.
If Davis plays right tackle, Deiter could compete to start at right guard with Shaq Calhoun, who started seven games at the position, and Danny Isidora, whose season was cut short to injury after three starts at the position. Deiter could also be Miami’s backup center.
Julien Davenport finished the season at left tackle and could be a reliable swing tackle if Miami is able to draft tackles at both positions.
