The Miami Dolphins' offensive line is suddenly looking like a strength
Sometimes things just have a funny way of working out. And that especially includes the Miami Dolphins' 2023 offensive line. Through two weeks of the season, the offensive line is playing at a high level, even at both of those spots. Rewind a month and a half ago, and that possibility seemed pretty remote. The […]
Sometimes things just have a funny way of working out. And that especially includes the Miami Dolphins' 2023 offensive line.
Through two weeks of the season, the offensive line is playing at a high level, even at both of those spots. Rewind a month and a half ago, and that possibility seemed pretty remote.
The Dolphins entered training camp with some pretty significant questions about some key areas on the line, specifically at left guard and right tackle. Liam Eichenberg underperformed greatly at the left guard spot last fall before being placed on injured reserve on November 1. Austin Jackson hasn't had a great start to his career and played only in the opener last year before succumbing to injury.
Now, Jackson has been a brick wall while protecting Tua's blindside through two games against pass rushes that feature Joey Bosa, Khalil Mack, and Matthew Judon. He's looked like the player they hoped he would be when they picked him with the 18th pick of the 2020 draft.
And speaking of protecting the edges, swing tackle Kendall Lamm has done a fine job on the other side in place of Terron Armstead, who's dealing with a slew of injuries. Lamm has played so well that the Dolphins appear to have two capable starting tackles on the left side. Not a bad problem to have when your swing tackle can step in and not miss a beat.
Isaiah Wynn has stepped in at left guard nicely, and he and Lamm formed a nice combination on the left side, especially in the running game. The job they did on Mostert's 43-yard touchdown run was impressive. RG Robert Hunt ranks 8th out of 71 guards with a 73.8 Pro Football Focus grade.
Ironically, the biggest issue appears to be at center, despite Connor Williams ranking 3rd among all centers by Pro Football Focus. He and Tua have had issues in both games with snaps, which have resulted in negative plays and a turnover. If Williams can find a way to get rid of those issues, there would be very little to complain about with this unit right now.
That being said, the unit has far exceeded expectations and is no small reason why Miami sits at 2-0 and atop the AFC East through two weeks.
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Featured image via David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
