Tyler Booker – IOL, Alabama
Player Overview:
Tyler Booker is a powerful, mauling interior offensive lineman who started at left guard for Alabama and brings SEC-tested experience. He’s known for his violent hands, strong anchor, and physical demeanor in the run game, though he may not be a natural fit for wide-zone schemes due to average movement skills.
Size / Measurables:
- Height: 6’5″
- Weight: 320 lbs
- Arm Length: 33 ⅛″
- Hand Size: 10″
- Wingspan: 80 ⅝″
- Combine/Pro Day Testing:
- 40-Yard Dash: 5.38s
- Vertical Jump: 25.5″
- Broad Jump: 8'3″
- Shuttle: 5.03s
- 3-Cone: 8.18s
- Bench Press: 24 reps
- RAS (Relative Athletic Score): 4.83 (Below average for guard prospects)
Analytics Justification:
- Pass Block Efficiency (2024): Allowed just 3 sacks and 9 pressures in 426 pass-block snaps (via PFF).
- Run Block Grade (2024): 79.4 (PFF)
- True Pass Set Grade: 81.5
- Zone Blocking Grade: 65.1 (scheme-specific limitation)
- Power Blocking Grade: 87.6
- Penalty Rate: Only 3 penalties all year
Booker was most effective on gap-scheme runs and duo blocks. When asked to pull or reach in space, his limitations showed, but when in a phone booth, he dominated.
Fit for Team:
Miami’s offensive line needs a tone-setter with positional versatility. While Booker doesn’t have elite lateral movement for McDaniel’s wide-zone system, he’s still a major upgrade over recent guard play due to his strength and IQ. Miami can tailor calls (duo, power, inside zone) to match his strengths. He provides a plug-and-play option at left guard, solidifying the interior alongside Aaron Brewer and Austin Jackson.
Expected Impact:
Immediate starter at LG, bringing physicality and stability to the left side. Can shift to RG if needed. Should drastically improve short-yardage and red zone efficiency. Could struggle if asked to execute reach blocks frequently, so fit must be intentional.
NFL Comparison:
Elijah Vera-Tucker (if shifted inside full-time), or a less-athletic Joel Bitonio with more power.
Strengths:
- Mauling run blocker
- Violent punch in pass protection
- Intelligent communicator (played in a pro-style offense)
- Strong anchor
- SEC experience against top competition
Weaknesses:
- Average foot speed
- Limited lateral quickness for wide-zone
- Not ideal in space
- Below-average athletic testing
Background / Intangibles:
- Former 5-star recruit out of IMG Academy
- Team captain qualities noted at Alabama
- 28 collegiate starts at LG
- Mature demeanor; considered a leader in the locker room
Injury History:
- No major injuries reported
Positional Versatility:
- Primarily LG, but capable of playing RG
- Took some reps at RT early in college career
Scheme Fit:
Best in a gap/power or inside-zone heavy system. Not ideal for wide/outside zone, though can hold up if paired with a more mobile center and used selectively on pulls.
Development Timeline / Projection:
Starter from Day 1. Could develop into a Pro Bowl guard with refinement in technique and conditioning. With proper scheme fit, he could anchor Miami’s interior for a decade.
Cumulative Impact:
Booker raises the Dolphins' physical floor in the trenches. While not scheme-perfect, the upgrade in raw strength, communication, and dependability at LG justifies the pick—even with the athletic red flags. A tone-setter the team has lacked
- LT: Patrick Paul
- LG: Tyler Booker
- C: Aaron Brewer
- RG: James Daniels (FA from Pittsburgh)
- RT: Austin Jackson
…has the potential to be both physically imposing and well-balanced across run/pass situations. Here's a breakdown of the group as a unit:
Unit Identity & Philosophy
This line projects as powerful and aggressive inside, with sufficient mobility across the board to function in wide zone and RPO-based concepts, but also enough size and length to handle speed-to-power edge rushers in true dropback situations.
It’s a group built more for combo blocking, vertical sets, and gap runs than pure Shanahan-style wide zone — but it could still operate in hybrid zone/gap schemes, especially with Miami's heavy use of motion and perimeter action to manipulate leverage.
Player Synergy Breakdown
LT: Patrick Paul
- 6'7", 330 lbs with nearly 36" arms.
- Natural blindside protector with elite length.
- Best in vertical sets and anchoring vs power.
- Struggles occasionally with balance, but will benefit from help inside (Booker).
- In the run game: more of a shield/angle blocker than a mauler.
LG: Tyler Booker
- 6'5", 320 lbs and plays nasty.
- One of the most physical run blockers in the class; a tone-setter.
- Anchor in pass pro needs refining, but extremely strong base and grip strength.
- Works well on double teams, pulls efficiently, and finishes blocks.
- Can clean up inside messes and help stabilize Patrick Paul’s inside shoulder.
C: Aaron Brewer
- Undersized but highly athletic.
- Excellent reach blocker and fits Miami’s screen/RPO game.
- Would benefit from bigger guards beside him — Booker and Daniels do exactly that.
- Weakness vs true nose tackles is masked when flanked by two 320+ lb guards.
RG: James Daniels
- Veteran presence; 6'4", 320 lbs with strong functional play strength.
- Smooth mover with combo block and zone experience.
- Solid pass protector, rarely penalized, good communicator.
- Brings steadiness and reliability; can help Brewer make protection calls.
RT: Austin Jackson
- Athletic profile finally matched production in 2024.
- Still inconsistent in hand placement but improved footwork.
- Best when working off play-action or climbing to the second level.
- With Daniels next to him, he won’t have to carry the mental load on twists/stunts.
Strengths of the Unit
- Power run potential: Booker and Daniels can move people. Inside zone and duo runs will punish smaller fronts.
- Length and size: Paul, Jackson, and Booker all have prototype NFL size.
- Athletic interior: Brewer and Daniels both move well; ideal for pulling, screens, and RPO looks.
- Balance of youth and experience: Daniels and Brewer are seasoned; Booker and Paul are long-term building blocks.
- Flexibility: Can switch between zone and gap runs without reshuffling personnel.
Potential Concerns
- Left side communication: Paul and Booker are both young; may need seasoning to pick up complex pressure packages.
- Brewer vs elite nose tackles: At 295 lbs, Brewer can struggle to anchor if left solo against a true 0-tech.
- Jackson’s consistency: If he regresses, the right side could become vulnerable without help.
