One Surprise Cut the Miami Dolphins Could Still Make This Offseason
By Michael Luciano
The Miami Dolphins were hampered with one of the worst offensive lines in all of football last year, and the combination of head coach Brian Flores and GM Chris Grier added 1,000 pounds of linemen in the 2020 NFL Draft.
Using all those draft picks on linemen means that left tackle Julien Davenport, acquired in the Laremy Tunsil trade, might not have much time left in Miami.
someone should let julien davenport know he’s no longer on IR pic.twitter.com/qxKCVHBRMW
— josh houtz (@houtz) November 19, 2019
Miami might have picked up former Alabama star quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, but their 2020 draft was all about their offensive line. USC's Austin Jackson was picked 18th overall, while Miami used a second-round pick on Louisiana lineman Robert Hunt, who can play tackle or guard. Georgia's Solomon Kindley was also involved in that class.
Jackson is poised to man the left tackle spot, while Hunt will compete for the right tackle job. Both are raw, but both Davenport and right tackle Jesse Davis could be relegated to backup duty or end up outright cut if Jackson and Hunt are capable of handling a starting spot.
NEW: Two national analysts say new Dolphins LT Austin Jackson has chance “to be an All Pro:” Feedback on the No. 18 pick: https://t.co/hytfKNi8YM
— Barry Jackson (@flasportsbuzz) April 24, 2020
Davenport was downright awful with the Texans, and while he did improve slightly as a Dolphin, his play was so uneven last year that Miami sunk three picks into improving their offensive line, which spells trouble for his long-term future in south beach.