The Miami Dolphins have two building blocks on the offensive line and now will look to solidify the rest of the unit early in new general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan’s tenure.
Center Aaron Brewer and left tackle Patrick Paul were both acquired by the previous regime in the 2024 offseason — Brewer as an under-the-radar free agent and Paul in the second round of that draft. Both are now anchors on the line and give Sullivan a 40 percent solidified group, with a chance more of it can come together soon.
With 11 picks in this month’s draft and seven in the first three rounds, Miami is likely to pick up rookie offensive linemen with those selections. A potential future right tackle could be found in the draft or viable guard options.
Brewer, who was a second-team All-Pro selection last season, has become one of the all-around best centers in the game. Sullivan called him one of his three core building blocks in a conversation with South Florida media at the NFL annual meeting in Phoenix last week.
With one year left on his current contract, Sullivan has Brewer in a category with running back De’Von Achane and linebacker Jordyn Brooks as players he wants to strike extensions with later in the offseason.
Paul might be right there with them, albeit not yet a player eligible for an extension after his second professional season. After taking what was essentially a redshirt season as a rookie behind former Pro Bowl left tackle Terron Armstead in 2024, Paul proved more than capable of handling the role. And now with the Dolphins transitioning at quarterback from the left-handed Tua Tagovailoa to Malik Willis, Paul will be tasked with protecting the blind side of the quarterback, as left tackles normally do.
Elsewhere on the offensive line, there are question marks.
At left guard, Sullivan inherits Jonah Savaiinaea, whom the Dolphins traded up in the second round last year to draft.
“Savaiinaea can be the first one to tell you he’s got to be more consistent,” Sullivan said last week, as the rising second-year blocker out of Arizona looks to rebound from a rough rookie season.
Hafley couldn’t give a definitive answer on whether he would stay on the left side or go back to right guard, which he played in college, but Sullivan seemed to slot him at left guard the way he went down the line in analyzing different blockers.
The Dolphins’ offensive player with the longest active tenure on the roster is now right tackle Austin Jackson, after he returned on a restructured deal.
“We’re excited to get him back. He’s got to stay healthy,” Sullivan said of Jackson, who missed 11 games last season due to a toe injury sustained in the opener.
The Dolphins GM noted the team will have competition at right guard. Former Los Angeles Chargers offensive lineman Jamaree Salyer was brought in in free agency, and he will get a crack at that job after finding success as a versatile lineman who had spot duty at both guard and tackle with the Chargers.
Ahead of the draft, Miami has established some depth on the line with the offseason addition of Charlie Heck, who can serve as a quality swing tackle capable of filling in on either side.
The Dolphins’ previous regime liked 2024 undrafted free agent Andrew Meyer enough to have him make the active roster his first season, although he didn’t play. He was then sidelined for much of last year with a preseason injury but made his debut in a Week 17 start for Brewer. He will have to earn his way with the new coaching staff as a backup center who can also play guard.
Other linemen on the roster who will be vying for roster spots are Kion Smith, Bradedn Daniels, Josh Priebe and Carter Warren.
Dolphins Deep Dive: Feeling confident in Sullivan and Hafley? | VIDEO