Dolphins like options for O-line
Draft marks first time in team history without an offensive lineman picked.
DAVIE — The rebuilding of the Dolphins’ offensive line may finally be complete.
For the first time in their history, the Dolphins went through an entire NFL draft without selecting a single offensive lineman. Mike Tannenbaum, who heads the Dolphins’ football operations, said he’s confident in the line nonetheless because of previous offseason moves made via trades and free agency.
“We’ve put a lot of time and effort into that going back to the end of the season,” Tannenbaum said.
The decision to forgo selecting a lineman is significant considering the Dolphins just parted with two former Pro Bowl linemen (center Mike Pouncey and guard Jermon Bushrod), plus another a year ago (left tackle Branden Albert).
It’s also historic because 13 times in their history, the Dolphins spent their top pick on an offensive lineman, including in 2016, when they took Laremy Tunsil, their current left tackle, 13th overall.
The Dolphins have used more draft picks on offensive linemen (113) than any other position, with defensive linemen accounting for the sec-
ond-most picks, 99. Coincidentally, the Dolphins did not address that position in this draft either, but added end Robert Quinn in a trade with the Rams. The Dolphins didn’t draft any defensive linemen in 2016, either. Sizing up the offensive line, the Dolphins appear set at tackle, where Tun- sil again will be on the left. After a period of uncer- tainty, the Dolphins opted to pick up right tackle Ja’Wuan James and his $9.3 million price tag for a fifth season. Pouncey joined the Char- gers, clearing the way for the Dolphins to obtain cen- ter Daniel Kilgore from the 49ersa month after Kilgore thought his future was set in San Francisco. He’d just signed a three-year, $11.8 million extension. That leaves the guards. The Dolphins signed Josh Sitton, formerly of the Bears and Packers and with Pro Bowl experience. Sitton, 31, plans to help mentor Tunsil while likely manning the left guard spot. Right guard figures to be a competition between the versatile Jesse Davis, who impressed the Dolphins last year, and veteran Ted Larsen. Backups include guard Isaac Asiata, a fifth-round selection last season; centers Jake Brendel and Zach Sterup; and tackles Eric Smith and Sam Young. Tannenbaum cited the experience those players had in 2017, especially as last season wore on. “We feel better about the depth at that position,” he said.