Just Two Proven Backups: Miami's O-Line Is Walking a Tightrope After Monday's Moves

Holy smokes, did you see what went down in Miami on Monday? While we're all fired up for football season, other teams are out here making some wild moves, and the Dolphins just chopped two offensive linemen off their roster. Kion Smith and Carter Warren are out, and honestly, this leaves their offensive line depth looking thin. Like, really, REALLY thin. They also made the UFL All-Star safety Major Burns signing official, but right now, all eyes should be on that O-line situation.

Kion Smith's Tumultuous Five Years in Miami

Let's be real, Kion Smith's departure isn't totally shocking if you've been watching. He was with the Dolphins for five years since 2021, but a lot of that time was spent chilling on the practice squad. He only got into 23 games total, with just two starts, both last year at right guard after James Daniels got hurt in the season opener against the Colts. But get this, he was pulled from the lineup just two weeks later, in Week 3, against the Bills, replaced by Daniel Brunskill. After that, the guy played just nine snaps on offense for the rest of the season, doing mostly special teams work.

And remember 2024? Smith missed that entire season because of a torn ACL he picked up in preseason. Even back then, the former GM Chris Grier was reportedly taking trade calls for him. Combine that with him struggling hard in pass protection during those spring practices open to the media, and you can kinda see why Miami decided to cut ties. It’s a tough business, but you gotta perform, especially up front.

The Dire State of Dolphin's Tackle Depth

So, with Smith and Warren gone, the Dolphins are down to just eight guys listed as tackles or guard/tackles on their roster. That's a serious question mark looming over their backup roles! Their projected starting offensive line looks okay, I guess: Patrick Paul and Austin Jackson at tackle, first-round pick Kadyn Proctor and Jonah Savaiinaea at guard, and Aaron Brewer, who just got extended, at center. Seems solid on paper.

But dig a little deeper. The remaining "other" players on the roster who can play tackle or guard/tackle? They've got veteran newcomers Jamaree Salyer and Charlie Heck. Beyond them, it's Josh Priebe, Marques Cox, and Kevin Cline, and guess what? These three have exactly zero NFL regular season experience. ZERO. That means if the Dolphins want Proctor to stay at left guard for his rookie year, Salyer and Heck are literally their only solid backup options at tackle. And there's another wrinkle: Salyer could end up starting at right guard if they decide later this summer, during training camp or preseason, that Savaiinaea isn't the answer. If that happens, then Heck becomes the only proven guy standing. Yikes.

Miami's O-line depth situation is looking precarious heading into the summer. They've got some serious evaluating to do in training camp and preseason to figure out who can step up. You gotta keep an eye on this, because a strong O-line is everything in this league, and right now, theirs is looking like it's held together with tape. What are they gonna do?

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.