Stop me if you've heard this before: the Miami Dolphins are in dire need of help on the lines of scrimmage, but particularly on the offensive side of the ball.  Fans and media have been clamoring for it for years now – even in the face of quips from general manager Chris Grier about the media being more worried about the issue than he was. 

However, it appears as though that message has been received this offseason, with both Grier and Mike McDaniel confirming they'll work to improve the group tasked with protecting the franchise's most important investment – QB Tua Tagovailoa. 

And now, with the NFL Combine having come and gone, we've seen the crop of potential candidates available in the upcoming NFL Draft who could be options to improve the group.  

The bottom line is Miami needs guards – two starters, to be exact – and those capable of filling in at tackle in a pinch don't hurt either. If Miami doesn't take a lineman in the first two rounds, it would be a major surprise. Fortunately, there were a handful of players who stood out over the weekend during testing and should be in play for Miami. 

Armand Membou – OL, Missouri

Membou already gives Miami something they should value dearly – positional flexibility.  He's capable of playing guard or tackle. 

Wherever they play him, which depends on how the left tackle position shakes out this offseason, his combination of athleticism, size, physicality are truly impressive.  At 6'4", 332 pounds, he ranked at or near the top in the testing results, including a 4.91 40, 1.74 10-yard split, 9'7" broad jump, and 34" vertical jump.  

This will be repeated often, but offensive linemen in McDaniel's scheme need to be able to move in space, and that's what Membou can do.  He should be high on Miami's draft board, and if he's available at 13, they should run the pick in. 

Tate Ratledge – IOL, Georgia

The Georgia standout talked looked and talked like a guy you'd want on your offensive line during media availability.  He went out and backed it up on the practice field in Indy as well.  A sub-5 second 40, a 1.72 10-yard split, and a 9'5" broad jump shows he's got a terrific burst to go with a nasty disposition as a blocker.  A clear second-round target – one who would merit a jump up to get. 

Jared Wilson – IOL, Georgia

Another Bulldog lineman made a big name for himself in Indy.  A center at Georgia, he seems to have the athleticism to fit in Miami's offense.  An OL Combine-best 4.82 40-yard dash with a 1.72 10-yard split (second best) and a 4.56 second shuttle (fourth best), Wilson showed he can move with the best of them. 

Grey Zabel – OL, North Dakota State

Zabel looked like an early second-round pick, but he might have pushed his way into the first round with a solid showing in Indy.  He's also been projected by many to move to guard, so that fits in with Miami's needs, who met with the 2024 FCS First Team All-American over the weekend.  He didn't run, but a Combine-best 36.5-inch vertical jump and 9'3" broad jump showed off his explosiveness. 

With Zabel, it's a question of where you pull the trigger.  Is he worth taking at 13? The chances are likely he won't be there at 48, when the Dolphins are scheduled to pick in the second.  Perhaps Zabel could be a candidate if they were to trade back, if they don't take him at 13 regardless.  

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