The Miami Dolphins made a major addition to their offensive line this offseason by signing former New Orleans Saints offensive tackle Terron Armstead in free agency.
Armstead, a three-time Pro Bowler, should make things easier for Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, but one AFC executive recently questioned the newcomer’s fit with the Dolphins.
The Dolphins, who are expected to employ a strong running game under head coach Mike McDaniel, may not play to Armstead’s strengths as a blocker.
“He’s still an above-average pass-blocker; his run-blocking wasn’t great, which is interesting considering where he signed,” the AFC executive told ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. “The Miami offense will be run-heavy with Mike McDaniel, probably with designed passes for Tua and keepers.”
While Armstead may not be an elite run-blocking tackle, there’s no doubt that he is still an upgrade for Miami’s offensive line. The biggest concern for the Dolphins may be his availability.
When healthy, Armstead is one of the better tackles in the NFL, but he was limited to just eight games due to injury last season. He has appeared in 10 or fewer games in four of the last six seasons.
Even though the AFC executive has doubts about Armstead’s fit with the team, a high-ranking NFL personnel man sees the veteran’s fit as a strength.
“That system needs tackles with athleticism in space, and Armstead still has that,” he told Fowler.
McDaniel will likely bring some new concepts to Miami’s offense in the 2022 season, and having an anchor like Armstead on the offensive line should help the Dolphins execute them.
Miami is looking to make the playoffs in the 2022 season after failing to do so in the last two seasons despite posting winning records.
