Miami Dolphins offensive lineman Andrew Meyer hadn’t played in a single NFL game before Sunday. But with team captain Aaron Brewer sidelined with a neck injury, Meyer wasn’t just active for the first time in his career, he was a starter.
Taking Brewer’s place on the Dolphins’ depth chart is a tall task for any player, especially for someone’s first start. But Meyer rose to the occasion and assisted an offensive line that allowed just two sacks on quarterback Quinn Ewers. Meyer earned a 74.9 pass blocking grade from PFF.
“I think he really exemplified how prepared he was in a challenging situation,” McDaniel said of Meyer on Monday. “I was very confident in him making his first start and executing at a high level against a very good defensive line so I think it speaks to him. I saw a guy that the game is not too big for. I saw him make some difficult blocks in scenarios that I’ve had starting centers not make.
“It was kind of what I expected, but I’ve come to expect from him his best play in games. I think this past training camp was an example. I thought his best blocks occurred in preseason games, even better than in practice. He kind of flashed in the game, so very happy for him and I think he did a great job orchestrating the offensive line from start to finish.”
Back in August, former Dolphins offensive lineman Terron Armstead said Meyer was among the most impressive players during his visit to the team’s training camp practices.
“Andrew Meyer is a NFL starter,” Armstead said on his podcast. “He is not starting for the Miami Dolphins because of one Aaron Brewer. [Brewer] is a Pro Bowl, All-Pro center. Andrew Meyer is a starting center and will be in the NFL 10 years. He is not big. You don’t look at him and see like, ‘That’s a unit right there.’ Andrew Meyer looks like a scientist. But he can play football at a very, very high level.”
Meyer signed with the Dolphins as an undrafted free agent in 2024. He played five years at UTEP, starting in 43 out of 54 games during his tenure.