4. A Dolphins OL that's already reshuffling
Miami spent the offseason reformulating their offensive line. Veteran LT Terron Armstead retired, and the Dolphins plugged in former second-round pick Patrick Paul to man the left tackle spot. This year's second-round pick, Jonah Savaiinaea was fitted at the left guard spot next to him. Aaron Brewer was signed in free agency to man the pivot, as well as James Daniels to play right guard. The only holdover from the 2024 season was right tackle, and former first-round pick, Austin Jackson.
After one game, the Dolphins lost both Daniels and Jackson to multiple week injuries, sending both to I-R, and forcing Miami to revamp the right side of their offensive line on the fly. Kion Smith was lined up at right guard for his first career start Sunday against the Patriots, and veteran free agent signee, Larry Borom manned right tackle on Miami QB Tua Tagovailoa's blind side.
It did not go well. Miami's passing game is designed to get the ball out fast to reduce the demand on protection, and Tagovailoa did produce putting up 315 passing yards. But he was also sacked five times including the final two plays on offense for Miami, when they needed a touchdown down by six in the final minute of regulation. Smith and Borom were beaten by Patriots DT Milton Williams for a sack on fourth down to force a turnover on downs allowing New England to kneel out the clock.
"That was really frustrating," said Tagovailoa of their final drive. "It was frustrating with the communication, with the guys inside the huddle and then what the personnel is, then the play for those guys. Do we have too many guys in, why do we have another guy running in? Just the whole operation of that was not up to standard, was not up to par and I've got to do a better job with our guys in that sense."
Offensive linemen for the Dolphins were flagged for six penalties, though not all of them were enforced, with four holding penalties and a pair of false starts. And that was at home. The task for the right side of the line for the Dolphins will be all the more challenging in a road atmosphere like Buffalo in primetime.