The Miami Dolphins reportedly met with one of the top offensive line prospects in the 2024 NFL Draft as they look to bolster that unit heading into the upcoming season.
University of Oregon center Jackson Powers-Johnson took some time to speak with Dolphins representatives at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis.
“Miami’s top decision-makers met with Powers-Johnson at the combine this week, spending time with arguably the top interior offensive line prospect in the draft,” wrote Daniel Oyefusi of the Miami Herald.
“‘Amazing team. Amazing [general manager]. It was just a great time, too,’ Powers-Johnson said. ‘Something that really [stuck out] to me about the Dolphins is just how young [Mike McDaniel] is. [That is] something I can relate to. It doesn’t matter how old you are. It just matters how good you are. And even though he’s young, he’s an amazing coach. I’d be honored to play for him and play for an amazing GM and an amazing offensive line coach.'”
The Dolphins may need to replenish their offensive line this offseason as center Connor Williams and guards Robert Hunt and Isaiah Wynn are heading toward becoming free agents later this month.
In addition, though tackle Terron Armstead reportedly is expected to continue playing rather than retiring, the veteran has dealt with injuries and could still choose to call it a career.
Powers-Johnson just turned 21 in January and would bring an infusion of youth to the offensive line group. This isn’t the first time Miami has been connected to the youngster.
The Dolphins have the No. 21 overall pick in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft, which will be held in late April. Miami didn’t have a first-round pick in either of the last two drafts.
The last time the team spent a first-round selection on an offensive lineman was in 2020, when it used one of its three first-round picks to grab Austin Jackson at No. 18 overall. He started 16 games this past season and agreed to a contract extension in December.
The Dolphins also may be open to re-signing Williams, who missed the end of this past season after suffering an ACL injury. If the incumbent center returns, Powers-Johnson may be able to slot in at one of the guard spots.
Miami – and the rest of the NFL – got some good news when it was announced the salary cap for the 2024 season will increase by over $30 million to more than $255 million per team. However, the Dolphins still project to be over the updated ceiling and could look to the draft for less expensive reinforcements.
Having a young, versatile offensive lineman like Powers-Johnson who can possibly play multiple positions could prove to be a wise, economical draft pick.
