Miami Dolphins' biggest surprise at midseason
The Miami Dolphins have climbed to the top of the AFC East at the season's midpoint. That's required a number of players to step their game up and surprise. Rookie RB De'Von Achane has been one of the most electric players in the NFL. LT Kendall Lamm has been solid taking over for the oft-injured […]
The Miami Dolphins have climbed to the top of the AFC East at the season's midpoint. That's required a number of players to step their game up and surprise. Rookie RB De'Von Achane has been one of the most electric players in the NFL. LT Kendall Lamm has been solid taking over for the oft-injured Terron Armstead. OLB Andrew Van Ginkel has made several splash plays.
However, one player has taken his game to a level many fans didn't think was possible: RT Austin Jackson.
Jackson was drafted by the Dolphins in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft. He was taken with the 18th overall pick after Miami took QB Tua Tagovailoa with the 5th overall pick.
For the first two seasons, it appears that the Dolphins made a mistake with the pick, as Jackson struggled at both left tackle and left guard before shifting to right guard before the 2022 season. He earned Pro Football Focus season grades of 52.5 and 49.1 for 2020 and 2021, respectively. 2022 was almost a completely lost one for Jackson, as he suffered an ankle injury in the season opener and appeared in just two games.
However, Chris Grier stuck by his guy and didn't make an offseason move to try to replace Jackson. As it turns out, that instinct was the correct one.
Jackson has started all 9 games this season and has played well. His 60.5 Pro Football Focus grade, in all honestly, doesn't really seem that fair for how Jackson has looked on the field. He's protected Tua's blindside very well, allowing just one sack and 11 pressures so far. Given where Jackson was before last season, that's just an incredibly big step forward for Tua's blindside protector.
Grier now has a question to answer: what does he do with his right tackle after this season? The Dolphins declined his fifth-year rookie option in May, so Jackson will become an unrestricted free agent when the league year ends. The way he's playing right now, Grier might regret that declining that option in March.
That is, of course, unless he and Jackson's representation can come to an agreement on a long-term deal. The more that Jackson continues to shine, the more expensive that could be for the Dolphins.
Miami Dolphins’ biggest surprise at midseason
Miami has had some standouts this fall, but one has been a major surprise
