In 2023, the Miami Dolphins offensive line suffered injuries, losing players like Robert Hunt, Isaiah Wynn, Connor Williams, Terron Armstead, and others at some time throughout the season. Robert Hunt, a vital offensive tackle for the Dolphins, was traded to the Carolina Panthers, and Bleacher Report’s Matt Holder identified a replacement.
Regarding the one free agent available to each team that can benefit them, Holder identifies Greg Van Roten as the Dolphins’ player in his piece from April 7. Van Roten played all 17 games as a starter for the Las Vegas Raiders during the 2023 season.
“Miami could require a new starting right guard, as Robert Hunt is currently in Carolina. Though going into his fourth season, Robert Jones lacks experience, he is currently scheduled for that position.
“In the meantime, Van Roten just finished a career year with a 77.4 pass-blocking grade from Pro Football Focus, which is noteworthy because that’s where Tua Tagovailoa’s blind side is.”
How the Dolphins Would Benefit from Van Roten
In 2012, the 34-year-old began his professional career with the Green Bay Packers. However, Van Roten did not play in the league from 2014 to 2016.
In 2023, the guard from the Las Vegas Raiders made more plays than ever before. According to PFF, he played 1,025 plays without receiving a single penalty call. With an overall grade of 75.3, which is above average for his position, he gave up five sacks. Out of 54 eligible guards, he had the fifth-best overall blocking grade according to PFF.
Van Roten, who was a player with the Buffalo Bills in 2022, was not a starter. Although he played in 16 games overall, he only started four of them. He did not permit a single snap in 354 snaps for the Bills.
Van Roten may be required at some time throughout the season as a depth option, as the Dolphins witnessed with all of the injuries to the offensive line last season. The Dolphins employed 12 different offensive line combinations in 18 games during the previous season.
Dolphins’ Offensive Line Needs Improvement
The offensive line for the Miami Dolphins needed improvement, according to George Forder of The Phinsider. Forder notes that the Dolphins have demonstrated how crucial success is after enduring hardship on the field.
“I would say that this is an underappreciated position group, but Dolphins fans are all too aware of how important offensive line play can be to winning after a decade of (except for a few) poor seasons. Despite having numerous injuries last season, they advanced; nonetheless, they could lose two or perhaps three starters to free agency.
“Tua Tagovailoa and this offense use pre-snap motion to get the ball out quickly, which makes things easier on the line, but there’s still a baseline they need to hit to be successful on offense, especially in the running game.”
Forder continues, “It makes the most sense to land someone in the second or third tiers because the Dolphins don’t need five All-Pros on the field.”
“This offense doesn’t necessarily require five all-pro offensive linemen to be successful. Because of this and Miami’s cap predicament, it would be most sensible for the Dolphins to search for bargain free agents in the second and third tiers.
Van Roten is in the second and third tier; according to PFF, he was the 123rd-ranked free agent. The Dolphins might benefit from his strong play and continued health during his time with the Las Vegas Raiders in 2023.
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