The Miami Dolphins Gamble on a Second-Rounder Is Already Facing Tough Questions
The Miami Dolphins entered the offseason knowing their offensive line needed a serious upgrade. The front office made a bold move in April, trading up to grab Arizona lineman Jonah Savaiinaea in the second round of the draft. For a fan base tired of watching protection break down, it felt like a step in the right direction. Early in training camp, the rookie flashed enough potential to fuel optimism. Three weeks into the regular season, however, that optimism has been replaced by concern.
Savaiinaea’s transition to the NFL has been rough. Instead of locking down a guard spot and bringing a new edge to Miami’s front, he’s already raising questions about whether he should be starting at all. To be fair, the skepticism isn’t entirely on him. Many draft analysts pegged Savaiinaea as a developmental player rather than an instant-impact starter. Miami’s decision to move up for him suggested otherwise, especially after the top tackle prospects came off the board.
The situation around him hasn’t helped. Center Aaron Brewer has been one of the league’s best interior blockers so far, ranking number one in run-blocking grades per Pro Football Focus. At right tackle, the Dolphins are scrambling. Austin Jackson hit injured reserve after Week One, leaving Kion Smith — more suited for a reserve role — pressed into starting duty. That instability has only magnified the rookie’s struggles. Positioning is another factor. At Arizona, Savaiinaea played primarily on the left side. In Miami, he’s been locked into the left guard role, and despite outside speculation, head coach Mike McDaniel insists he won’t be moving him. McDaniel stressed that flipping sides wouldn’t solve Savaiinaea’s issues and instead might add even more to his plate.
So far, the results have been shaky. According to PFF, Savaiinaea has surrendered 11 pressures and ten hurries, with a troubling tendency to lunge early in pass protection. That leaves him off-balance and vulnerable to quick counter-moves. In the run game, flashes of his raw strength have appeared, but footwork and consistency remain works in progress. The Dolphins’ gamble on Savaiinaea may still pay off — his physical tools and ceiling are undeniable. Right now, patience is the only real solution. For a team with playoff expectations, that might be the toughest pill to swallow.
