Miami's front office should not spend serious money on the O-Line

[timmash44]

Look at how the best teams in the NFL build their o-lines. Money should go to skill positions. Miami needs to build an o-line not purchase high-priced free agents like Albert who eventually gets cut. We can use the draft to address the o-line. Look how the Pats built their o-line. If you don't like how the Pats built their o-line, well they just won the super bowl. The best o-lines have chemistry with one another. They have to understand each others weaknesses, so they can compliment each other when the time comes. We already have our building blocks in Tunsil, Pouncey, and James. If we go BPA on defense in round 1, then 2nd and 3rd round can be addressed to the o-line. Sign a bargain guard in FA. Just like Jermon Bushrod last offseason. I just believe its wasted money paying a guard 8 million a year when we can give that money to Landry when the time comes. Got to be smart and use common sense when it's time to pursue FA's. Overspending has never gotten a team anywhere.

 

[HarryBagpipe]

Bushrod wasn't good last year. The falcons who played in the super bowl signed Alex Mack to a big free agent contract. We aren't the pats

 

[DolfanISS]

Well they need to be careful. If Tunsil is as good as the FO thinks he is we're going to have serious cash tied up in him someday.

 

[SF Dolphin Fan]

I think a lot of us fans are overestimated $42 million in salary cap money. If the team extends Landry and Jones there's a big chunk right there.

That may leave around $20 million to spend in free agency. That's 4-5 players in the $4-5 million range if you want to look at it that way. Two mid-tier guards would be nice.

Of course, Miami will likely make other moves to free up more money but talk of major signings don't seem realistic to me. Nor is that the way the Dolphins went last year.

 

[mnphinfan]

With the defensive needs you more than likely are not getting 2 starting caliber G in the draft and by that I mean top 50 G's in the NFL. One has to come through FA. Although I agree with not breaking the bank on a G through FA they can't afford to be cheap. Many of us said it was only a matter of time until Tannehill got hurt because of poor oline play. It was a miracle it didn't happen last year. Time to stop ****ing around and get a decent G once and for all. Getting one in FA is a must if you want to attack the D talent in the top 2-3 rounds of the draft. You could get a damn good upgrade at G in the $5-7 mil range.

 

[dolhindan]

Strongly disagree with this approach, miami's OL is key. They need a quality guard on that left side as this will be Tunsil's first year as LT starter, I know cap is tight but money must be freed up here. Draft is not that strong in this draft. Those are my reasons, I may get flamed but that is MHO on this matter. Out.

 

[Snoop]

I think a lot of us fans are overestimated $42 million in salary cap money. If the team extends Landry and Jones there's a big chunk right there.

That may leave around $20 million to spend in free agency. That's 4-5 players in the $4-5 million range if you want to look at it that way. Two mid-tier guards would be nice.

Of course, Miami will likely make other moves to free up more money but talk of major signings don't seem realistic to me. Nor is that the way the Dolphins went last year.

When you extend players their cap number for the current year doesn't really go up, if anything it goes down. And if they cut Dion Jordan and Misi they'll have about $50 mil in cap space.

 

[gofins60]

Why can other teams find decent, serviceable o-linemen in the middle rounds, but Miami has to use high picks on linemen who aren't worth the money or draft pick, or spend big bucks on Free Agents? Albert was overpaid and injury-prone. James does not look/play like a first round pick. Pouncey is injury-prone and no longer worth the money. (Pouncey is no building block for the future; he needs to be replaced.)

Why can't they build a decent o-line? And, why do they continue to rely on overpaid injury-prone players? IMO, I think the problem is that they want the wrong type of o-linemen. The o-line was half-decent under Sparano, although they needed to replace the injured Jake Long and get a good RT. Once Philbin took over, they went for a different style of o-line play, and things went downhill ever since then. Want protection for Tannehill AND a dominating running game with Ajayi? Go old-school on the o-line with big, strong, nasty road-graders.

 

[Atila]

Honestly, and I've said it before, but the best place to get *interior* OL is through free agency. You don't need the high-end free agents, either. OP mentioned the most important thing is chemistry and he's right - and that has NOTHING to do with the draft but EVERYTHING to do with getting durable and consistent players who play every snap.

You know how you find THAT? Not in the draft - I mean, maybe those guys are in the draft, but nothing about their college pedigree is going to tell you about their real projection into the NFL... You find durable and consistent players who are *routinely* available in free agency, 28-29-30yr old guards who starting 47 of the last 48 games for their respective OL's and put up average to above average ratings... these are the most undervalued guys in the NFL every single year, they sign mid level contracts, and solidify new OL's every season turning an entire unit up 2 levels and posting near pro bowl seasons.

I literally do not understand why it happens every year - why most teams can't figure it out. You don't need the $8mil-10/yr guard... Get two dudes who play every snap at $5mil/ea and watch our OL catapult into the top10.

 

[NorFlaFin]

.......
You know how you find THAT? Not in the draft - I mean, maybe those guys are in the draft, but nothing about their college pedigree is going to tell you about their real projection into the NFL... You find durable and consistent players who are *routinely* available in free agency, 28-29-30yr old guards who starting 47 of the last 48 games for their respective OL's and put up average to above average ratings... these are the most undervalued guys in the NFL every single year, they sign mid level contracts, and solidify new OL's every season turning an entire unit up 2 levels and posting near pro bowl seasons.

.....

Well said should be post of the offseason.

 

[Lilseb93]

Honestly, and I've said it before, but the best place to get *interior* OL is through free agency. You don't need the high-end free agents, either. OP mentioned the most important thing is chemistry and he's right - and that has NOTHING to do with the draft but EVERYTHING to do with getting durable and consistent players who play every snap.

You know how you find THAT? Not in the draft - I mean, maybe those guys are in the draft, but nothing about their college pedigree is going to tell you about their real projection into the NFL... You find durable and consistent players who are *routinely* available in free agency, 28-29-30yr old guards who starting 47 of the last 48 games for their respective OL's and put up average to above average ratings... these are the most undervalued guys in the NFL every single year, they sign mid level contracts, and solidify new OL's every season turning an entire unit up 2 levels and posting near pro bowl seasons.

I literally do not understand why it happens every year - why most teams can't figure it out. You don't need the $8mil-10/yr guard... Get two dudes who play every snap at $5mil/ea and watch our OL catapult into the top10.

Spot on!

 

[Haldir]

When you extend players their cap number for the current year doesn't really go up, if anything it goes down. And if they cut Dion Jordan and Misi they'll have about $50 mil in cap space.

Landrys caphit for 2017 is 1.1 M$. With his new contract that number will probably be much higher. Jones has a caphit of 8 M$. That might go down a bit if they extend him.

 

[dtjp17]

Look at raiders they spent a fortune on OL

 

[Snoop]

Landrys caphit for 2017 is 1.1 M$. With his new contract that number will probably be much higher. Jones has a caphit of 8 M$. That might go down a bit if they extend him.

For 2018 and beyond yes, not for 2017. Usually you extend a guy in a contract year on his first deal the cap hit for that last year on the rookie deal barley sees an increase...maybe we see a small jump from 1.1 million to 2m, maybe 3 mil...but the significant jump comes in 2018.

 

[67Stang]

The OL has been absolutely out biggest issue for a decade! When we have a decent line that is even almost average, we win. When we have injuries and issues we lose. We need a good O Line!