I haven't read through this thread, so I may be repeating something. But IMO we're done with the OL until the draft. We will try to bring in another OL during the draft and/or add a another OL after June 1st.
As for the draft itself, I think we'd take one of the top Ts if he fell to us. Barton would be an option, especially in a small trade down, if they think he can play T. I think he could play all 5 spots although his best position is G. I personally would be happy with JPJ b/c I see an injury at C as the biggest risk to our season (Tua also but I think the risk there is lower b/c the QB can protect himself more easily than a C). If they settle on having Eich be the only back-up C then IMO that would be a stupid risk to take.
I agree with the bolded bit because I think Miami's #1 priority has to be getting out in front of the Terron Armstead problem. He's going to play (part of) this 2024 season but he's retiring after that and Miami needs to have an option ready to step in.
Finding a LT-in-training who can spend 2024 playing Guard, similar to how Laremy Tunsil kicked in to LG as a rookie next to Branden Albert, would be the ideal scenario.
I understand the "premium position" thinking where you rarely take an IOL in the first, but I think slavish adherence to that thinking will leave holes in your roster that make you vulnerable. If you really believe your window is now then sometimes you have to adjust your thinking.
Miami has actually already used several high picks on non-premium positions:
2019 - R1 - #13 - DT - Wilkins
2020 - R2 - #39 - OG - Hunt
2020 - R2 - #56 - DT - Davis
2021 - R2 - #36 - FS - Holland
The pattern that's emerged with these picks is that 1 of 2 things tends to happen.
(A)
The player is good, but they leave in FA where more money can be found than what the Dolphins are willing to offer for a non-premium position. Miami's just not going to pay $110M for a DT or $100M for a G. So even the good players can turn out to be 1-contract guys.
You obviously can't sustain a core if you aren't willing to re-sign your own draft picks but you're stuck because you know you won't be willing to re-sign non-premium players at landmark prices. This is
THE PROBLEM with drafting non-premium positions up high in the draft.
This pattern leads inevitably to another hole forming 4-5 years down the line and you've really gotten yourself nowhere. You end up with a rotating cast of players with big holes always needing to be filled every year.
(B)
The alternative is that a player sometimes just isn't that great. Take Raekwon Davis as an example. He didn't do enough to earn a place within Miami's core and ended up signing with the Colts for a small 2-yr deal.
Another big reason to stick with premium positions up high is that they tend to have more versatility:
>> A big WR might be able to provide depth, fill a specific role or kick inside to slot if he isn't great outside.
>> A boundary CB may be able to kick in to Nickel or even Safety if he's unreliable on an island
>> An OT who can't cut it might be able to kick inside to G while the opposite is rarely true.
Moving forward, even the 4th guy (Holland) has to play his way into a long-term deal if he's to stay in Miami. The Dolphins could easily lose Holland to FA if he plays well and earns the attention of other bidders. Miami is unlikely to want to give a FS (another non-premium position) a landmark deal.
Furthermore, with other expensive players on the roster (i.e. Tua, Tyreek, Chubb, and potentially Phillips & Waddle) it's not likely Miami goes out of their way to splurge on a Safety. We'll see how Miami manages their options. Phillips and Waddle should have 5th year options and the franchise tag is always available as well.
I know Miami always wants to keep its talent, but the issue with non-premium positions is that it's inevitably harder to budget for them if they earn 2nd contracts. They always turn into 2nd class priorities so-to-speak.
