In just over three weeks, the Miami Dolphins will open training camp for the 2020 season ahead — and with it face the prospect of building upon a promising “foundation” year. The Dolphins surprised everyone last season with a 5-4 stretch to finish the year and promptly followed suit by nailing down one of the most prolific college quarterbacks in recent history, plus a slew of new faces to add to the team.
The Dolphins will hold camp this year with fan enthusiasm as high as it has been in quite some time. But amid the restrictions of this offseason due to the ongoing health crisis, can the Dolphins rise to the challenge? We’ll be taking a look at each position group for the Dolphins ahead of the start of training camp and exploring which storylines are most pressing to monitor as Miami looks to improve in Year 2 under Brian Flores.
Here are the Dolphins’ key storylines in training camp on the offensive line.
Can Austin Jackson win the left tackle job outright?
Jackson’s primary competition at left tackle will be incumbent and Laremy Tunsil replacement Julie’n Davenport. Davenport was one of the worst pass protectors in football last season (along with the rest of the Dolphins’ offensive line), so it will be hard to envision Jackson’s performance being much worse as a raw rookie. And Jackson has more power rolled into his game in the run game than Davenport, too — so all signs point to the No. 18 overall pick claiming the left tackle job.
Anything less would be a surprise.
Will Michael Deiter claim a starting role amid new competition?
Deiter was a fixture on the line last season but his struggles were well documented — in large part due to the poor play he was sandwiched in-between at left tackle and at center. How well can Deiter bounce back in year two? After all, he was a 3rd-round selection in the 2019 NFL Draft by this regime for a reason. Deiter has experience at tackle, guard and center — his best chance to see the field after major reinforcements to the line this season may come at center. Ted Karras is here from New England on a one-year deal, so Miami is not committed to him in the long-term just yet.
Given the presence of Ereck Flowers, Jesse Davis/Robert Hunt and Solomon Kindley, beating out Karras is Deiter’s best bet.
Will Robert Hunt end up starting inside at guard or on the edge at right tackle?
Speaking of Robert Hunt, the top-40 overall selection is all but a lock to take the field as a starter. But how will the Dolphins achieve that? Will he play at guard or tackle for Miami in 2020? Wherever he lands and how he plays once he’s there could have a ripple effect on the Dolphins’ offensive line that carries into 2021 — if Hunt locks down the tackle role, Miami will be in the market for an interior blocker. But if Hunt needs to kick inside, the Dolphins will once again find themselves searching for a long-term answer at tackle.
Hunt will have the chance to prove he can play on the edge, but Miami will be eager to see the result.
