The answer to a question some are asking about one of the Miami Dolphins’ stars is already staring us right in the face
The solution to the biggest concern around Miami Dolphins center Aaron Brewer in a new scheme is already underway.
Miami Dolphins center Aaron Brewer got his fair share of flowers over the weekend. He was voted as the NFL’s 10th best interior offensive lineman.
The poll, which ran on ESPN courtesy of Jeremy Fowler, charged executives, coaches, and scouts to rank their best players at each position. Brewer, fresh on the heels of a contract extension earlier this summer, was among the ten. But the respect he earned didn’t come without a few qualifiers. But the answer to the question some are asking about Aaron Brewer in Miami long-term is already staring us right in the face.
The quotes casting skepticism for Miami Dolphins center Aaron Brewer are ignoring the obvious
“He’s very scheme specific,” said one NFL coordinator in Fowler’s piece. Yet another coach, this one a defensive line coach, was less political. “He’s good but accentuated by scheme, in my opinion. Athletic but not powerful.”
Sure. I’ll give you that the athleticism is the calling card. But it’s not like the NFL doesn’t have a distinct track record of good centers who are undersized and lack mauling power up front. Jason Kelce feels like a shoo-in for the Pro Football Hall of Fame some day. He came through the pre-draft process at 280 pounds and was drafted 191st overall by the Philadelphia Eagles. Former Titan and Jet Kevin Mawae played in the 280-290 pound range while earning three All-Pro honors. Standout center Olin Kreutz was 292 pounds in Chicago with the Bears. He started 187 games and made six Pro Bowls.
Ignore names like Dwight Stephenson, too. A former Miami Dolphin, Stephenson is a Hall of Famer, too. But he played in a different era — linemen were smaller in general back then.
Forget historical precedent, the answer lies at guard
Historical precedent is one thing. But the solution to any concerns about a scheme change in Miami watering down Aaron Brewer’s play can be found in the players aligned next to him. Think about the guard we’ve seen in Miami during Brewer’s two years in South Florida. Liam Eichenberg, Robert Jones, rookie Jonah Savaiinaea, Kion Smith, and Cole Strange. I mean…you want to talk about a gauntlet of underwhelming performances? This group takes the cake.
Savaiinaea, the Dolphins hope, will be better in Year 2 playing on his natural side at right guard. Miami invested a top-15 pick into Kadyn Proctor to anchor the other spot and play left guard next to Brewer. If those two players even give Miami average play at guard, it will be the best Brewer’s had next to him in his tenure with the Dolphins.
I’ll assure you this. If it sorts out that way, there won’t be anyone at all hemming and hawing about Aaron Brewer’s raw power at center in the summer of 2027. They’ll also be ranking him higher than 10th among his peers on the interior offensive line, too.
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