Kion Smith Played 9 Offensive Snaps Last Year: Miami Waived Two Linemen, And Their O-Line Depth Is Already Stretched Thin

Alright, 12s, even when the green and blue aren't on the field, a true fan keeps an eye on the whole league, right? And this Monday, out in Miami, things got wild. The Dolphins, yes, those guys, officially made some big roster moves. They've officially shown offensive linemen Kion Smith and Carter Warren the door. Seriously, after diving into what this means for their depth, it’s got me wondering if they know what they’re doing. They did bring in UFL All-Star safety Major Burns, but trust me, those O-line cuts are the headline here.

Kion Smith's Rocky Road to the Exit Door

Let's talk about Kion Smith first, because his story is... well, it's a journey. This guy's been with the Dolphins since way back in 2021, but a lot of that time was spent grinding on the practice squad. In his five years there, he only played in 23 games, and get this, only two of those were starts. Both of those starts came last year, at right guard, only happening because veteran James Daniels went down with an injury in the season opener against the Colts. But even then, it wasn't a smooth ride. He got yanked from the lineup in Week 3, a Thursday night game against the Bills, and Daniel Brunskill stepped in. After that, he was basically invisible on the O-line, playing only nine snaps over the final 14 games. Most of his action was on special teams. Oh, and don't forget, he missed ALL of 2024 because of a torn ACL he suffered in preseason, which actually led then-GM Chris Grier to consider trading him! Add to that, he struggled big time in pass protection during those spring practices. So yeah, not exactly a surprise he’s on his way out, but it paints a picture.

Miami's Tackle Depth Chart Gets Dicey Now

And Carter Warren? He wasn't even seen at those practices because of some "undisclosed issue." So, with both Smith and Warren out, Miami's now looking at only eight players listed as tackles or guard/tackles. EIGHT! And that number leaves some major questions about how they're gonna handle those backup roles. Their projected starting offensive line looks like this: Patrick Paul and Austin Jackson at tackle, first-round pick Kadyn Proctor and Jonah Savaiinaea at guard, and newly extended Aaron Brewer holding it down at center. Sounds okay, right? Until you dig into the rest of the guys. The other players they've got hanging around as tackles or guard/tackles are veteran newcomers Jamaree Salyer and Charlie Heck. Then you’ve got the young guns: Josh Priebe, Marques Cox, and Kevin Cline. Here's the kicker: those three young guys? ZERO NFL regular season experience. Yep, a big fat zero. So, that leaves Salyer and Heck as their only solid backup options at tackle, assuming they want their first-round pick, Kadyn Proctor, to stay put at left guard for his rookie season. But wait, there’s more! Salyer might even have to slide over to start at right guard if Savaiinaea doesn't pan out. If *that* happens, Heck is literally their *only* proven backup tackle option. Talk about running on fumes, am I right? This is all happening before we even get deep into the summer. Miami made these moves now, and the dominoes are already stacking up. You gotta wonder how this shaky offensive line depth is going to hold up when the hits start coming for real. For now, we'll keep our eyes on the Emerald City, but you can bet I'll be checking in on how this plays out for Miami as the season gets closer. Their QBs better be ready to scramble, because that backup tackle situation is looking rough!

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