It’s probably premature to say at this point that the Miami Dolphins have built a good offensive line in 2024.
But they’ve built a good enough one that they shouldn’t feel compelled to take a lineman with the 21st pick of the 2024 NFL Draft.
With the exception of Robert Hunt and perhaps Connor Williams, Chris Grier has decided to run the 2023 group back. That trend continued Tuesday with the news that Kendall Lamm is returning to the team on a one-year deal. ESPN was first to report the move.
Miami Dolphins Bring Back OT Kendall Lamm
An argument can be made that the Dolphins would not have been a playoff team in 2023 without Lamm, who was one of just two Dolphins linemen to appear in all 17 games. (Lester Cotton was the other.)
Lamm’s 613 offensive snaps were the seventh most of any Dolphins player.
That availability was huge considering Terron Armstead, who will again be the Dolphins’ starting left tackle in 2023, missed seven games due to injury.
But Lamm did more than play. He played pretty well.
He wasn’t flagged for a single penalty and allowed four sacks the entire season.
The move changes the calculus for the Dolphins heading into this tackle-rich draft.
We’re not saying they won’t take an offensive lineman at 21 now. The value might be too great for them not to when they’re on the clock, particularly if they love someone like Washington’s Troy Fautanu.
What we are saying: They don’t have to force one now at 21 if there’s better value at a different position.
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Non-linemen that could be available at 21 later this month include: Defensive tackles Johnny Newton and Byron Murphy II; cornerbacks Quinyon Mitchell and Kool-Aid McKinstry; EDGE rushers Chop Robinson, Jared Verse, and Laiatu Latu; and wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr.
They all play premium positions. And they all would likely play meaningful roles in Year 1.