The 2024 NFL Combine has come and gone, and there were a number of players who stood out and made a case for themselves to be drafted in the first round of the upcoming NFL Draft.  

However, for the Miami Dolphins, it could be one player already on the roster whose decision affects how they decide to proceed in the first round of the draft in April.  Starting left tackle Terron Armstead is considering retirement per Mike McDaniel last week.  Accordingly, the Dolphins could have a fourth vacancy on their offensive line shortly. 

As such, while my previous first-round projection Jackson Powers-Johnson had a fine combine and remains a very logical and intriguing target, there's one player who makes just a little bit more sense for the Dolphins with the combine concluded.

The Dolphins should draft Washington G/T Troy Fautanu with the 21st overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft

There had been questions about Fautanu's ability to play offensive tackle at the NFL level, particularly whether he had the length to be able to do it.  Well, after his combine measurements were taken, that concern can fully be put to bed.  With 34.5-inch arms, the 6'4", 317-pound Fautanu clearly has the length to play the position.  

Fautanu acquitted himself well over the weekend in Indianapolis.  Among offensive tackles, he had the third fastest 40-yard dash time at 5.01 seconds, fourth fastest 10-second split, fourth best vertical jump at 32.5", and tied for fifth best broad jump at 9'5". 

He proved he has the quickness and athleticism to be a good match with McDaniel's outside zone running scheme. 

So why the change from one potential interior offensive lineman to another?

There is one word that comes with Fautanu that absolutely makes him an ideal pick for the Dolphins: versatility. 

While the Dolphins will surely know something regarding Armstead's status by the time the draft arrives in late April, that uncertainty makes a player like Fautanu even more attractive because he has the ability to play either at guard or tackle. Considering the Dolphins are looking to find impact starters on all three interior offensive line spots, that positional flexibility absolutely can't be discounted in Fautanu's case. 

Powers-Johnson is still an intriguing candidate, one that should still be in play for the Dolphins at 21 – if he's still on the board, of course.  However, after McDaniel's comments on Armstead and with Fautanu proving himself capable of playing either on the edge or inside, the latter serves to solve a greater potential range of issues. 

Final word

In the end, Fautanu is a player who showed the athleticism in Indianapolis to be a fit in McDaniel's outside zone running game, as well as having the length to be an NFL tackle.  

Even if Armstead ends up returning to the Dolphins and Fautanu starts off at guard, the veteran tackle hasn't completed a full season in his career without missing injury, and Fautanu would at worst give the Dolphins another reserve option to slide outside if the Dolphins absolutely needed someone – although swing tackle Kendall Lamm performed well last year when called upon.  That is, if the Dolphins can bring him back for another season as Lamm is also a free agent. 

Previous pick: Oregon C Jackson Powers-Johnson

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