Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill is assisted to his feet by Miami Dolphins guard Billy Turner after another hit from the Tennessee Titans at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. Turner was cut in a statement move shortly thereafter. (Bill Ingram / The Palm Beach Post)
The Miami Dolphins had the third-worst offensive line in the NFL, according to
analysis by Pro Football Focus.
According to the report, right tackle
Ja’Wuan James was the best overall lineman, 32nd-best tackle in the NFL.
Rookie left guard
Laremy Tunsil, who also showed he can play tackle, was the best-rated pass blocker.
James was rated as the top-rated run blocker.
The report suggests the
loss of center Mike Pouncey hurt the team, which is true.
It also suggests right guard Jermon Bushrod struggled, which is true. But saying Bushrod was “disastrous in the run game” and the worst run-blocking guard in the NFL seems a bit extreme.
According to the report, left tackle Branden Albert got worse at the season progressed, which is true, but… Albert played through a serious wrist injury.
The Dolphins played most of this season with four lineman who had played left tackle in their careers.
Laremy Tunsil (left) was a well-rated pass blocker in 2016. Dallas Thomas (right) was cut after a bad outing. (Allen Eyestone / The Palm Beach Post)
The Dolphins at times also had four first-rounders on the line: left tackle Albert, left guard Tunsil, center Pouncey and right tackle James.
Miami invested $28.6 million into its offensive line in 2016,
according to Spotrac.com. Miami’s investment of 19 perecent of salary cap to offensive line was fifth-highest in the NFL.
And the only position group Miami spent a higher percentage of salary cap on was defensive line.
Here is why it seems hard to believe only two NFL teams in the NFL had a worse offensive line:
