Will Dolphins’ Austin Jackson and Liam Eichenberg prove they’re starting-caliber O-linemen? | Countdown to camp
With the 2023 NFL season fast approaching, the South Florida Sun Sentinel takes a look at 10 storylines to watch for in a 10-part series ahead of the Miami Dolphins’ first day of training camp, which is set for July 26.
There’s a resounding belief heading into the 2023 season that the Dolphins will go as far as quarterback Tua Tagovailoa takes them.
But maybe just as important is the play of the offensive line in front of him, both because the unit is at the core of everything the Dolphins do offensively and because it is responsible for keeping Tagovailoa upright.
And the offensive line looks solid at three of its five starting positions. The question heading into training camp, which opens with veterans reporting Tuesday and a first practice next Wednesday, is whether Miami can get what it needs at right tackle and left guard.
For all intents and purposes, Austin Jackson, heading into his fourth season, and Liam Eichenberg, as he enters a third season, will get their shot — maybe their last chance — at those respective positions for the Dolphins in 2023.
Jackson, a first-round pick in the same 2020 draft as Tagovailoa, will be given the responsibility of protecting the left-handed-throwing quarterback’s blind side, so his role is extra important.
He went into a key third season in 2022, but it came and went without him getting to show any improvement as back-to-back ankle injuries derailed his season. He landed on injured reserve following each of the two games he played.
Eichenberg, whom the Dolphins traded up into the second round to draft in 2021, struggled early last season at left guard, but he was coming around near the midway point when he went down with a knee ailment.
While the two have five NFL seasons of experience combined, Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel has remained convicted in his belief that they need a second year in the same offense.
“If you talk to any offensive lineman, the major growth in their game within the system that they’re playing, 100 percent of the time, Year 2,” McDaniel said. “So, what’s the best Year 2 that Austin or Liam have had thus far in their career that people are judging them on, Year 2 of a system? The answer is: It hasn’t happened.”
Miami has changed offensive coordinators every year Jackson and Eichenberg have been around, until 2023 as they run it back with McDaniel’s offense and Frank Smith back as offensive coordinator. Although, this is while changing offensive line coaches again, going from Matt Applebaum to Butch Barry at the position.
The two have also been moved around on Miami’s offensive line over the years. Each has had a shot at left tackle before shifting to where they are now. Jackson even tried left guard out for a large portion of 2021. During organized team activities and mandatory minicamp, Eichenberg was snapping the ball at center with starter Connor Williams absent from team facilities.
Jackson went through offseason workouts looking more slim and toned after reconstructive surgery on his right ankle. Among the three 2020 first-round picks that were due for decisions on a fifth-year option of their contract, Jackson and cornerback Noah Igbinoghene did not have theirs exercised while Tagovailoa’s was picked up.
If one or both of them can be solid contributors for the Dolphins offensive line, especially if it’s Jackson solidifying the right tackle position, it can provide enormous benefits to Miami’s overall operation on offense. The run game can be entrusted by McDaniel for more rush attempts, regardless of which tailback is back there, and Tagovailoa can be given more time to go through progressions.
Miami has a four-time Pro Bowler at left tackle in Terron Armstead, although he carries his own injury concerns that he has always pushed through. Williams was also a good get in free agency last year as he moved from guard to center, and right guard Robert Hunt has been reliable in his first three NFL seasons.
The Dolphins didn’t go the way of acquiring a big-money lineman in the offseason. They made more modest moves of bringing in interior offensive lineman Dan Feeney in the first wave of free agency and then veteran, former first-round picks that haven’t quite lived up to that billing in Isaiah Wynn and Cedric Ogbuehi in May.
The names aren’t sexy. They provide depth and competition at Jackson and Eichenberg’s positions. This while Miami opted against bringing back Brandon Shell, who was formidable filling in at right tackle for Jackson. The Dolphins also have guards Robert Jones and Lester Cotton and tackles Kendall Lamm and Geron Christian among players returning from last year’s team. The latter three were only added late in the 2022 season and get another shot with the team, while Jones enters Year 3 as a reliable backup after going undrafted in 2021.
Previously addressed
Which areas will we see tangible improvement from second-year Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel?
What will Vic Fangio’s Dolphins defense do better than Josh Boyer or Brian Flores’?
What constitutes a successful season for Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa?
Can Dolphins’ offense find ways to succeed aside from big plays by Tyreek Hill?