How’s The Dolphins O-Trenches Looking… So Far?

Blocking makes NFL offenses hum

Miami Dolphins new GM Jon-Eric Sullivan believes that winning teams are tough and physical, especially in the offensive trenches. I can’t agree more with that recipe. The offensive line makes the NFL world go around… and that includes good blocking tight ends. Quality blocking lifts up the offensive skills, mostly notably the quarterback and puts the defenses fannies on the bench with long offensive drives.

This offseason Sullivan put his money where his mouth by drafting tight end Will Kacmarek, offensive linemen Kaydn Proctor and D.J. Campbell to fuel this philosophy. Training Camp is starting to reveal bit by bit that all these players will offer something positive to some degree. Of course, it will take time before an accurate evaluation can be made.

Still, the blocking unit is showing some clear signs most are good, some bad.

Let’s break down the clearest signs of what has been revealed so far in this Training Camp.

Let’s Focus on the Good First

The Dolphins have been abysmal at running the football inside. For as long as I can remember, the A and B gaps have been a brick wall. Kaydn Proctor is changing that, and I don’t see that heading south, only getting stronger.

We’ve seen many inside runs off the left side behind him, Aaron Brewer, and Patrick Paul. His rare strength and size combination, and as he gets older, he’ll only become more powerful. In practice this week film came out of the defense line buckling like an elephant sitting on plywood. Proctor led the way making a hole the size of the Grand Canyon and then getting to the second level to cap the linebacker. Expect to see these same results during the Regular Season with far more regularity than we’ve seen since Ritchie Incognito was here.

The only weakness Proctor has shown so far is the inside move. Not terrible, not in the least. But it is the one wart that has popped up. The move from tackle to guard has been all but seamless. But the action comes faster that outside and he is a big, big man. So, if Proctor needs to improve here because the film is already being saved and you can bet with the best pay per head that opposing defenses will ruthlessly game plan to attack that.

Aaron Brewer has been his usual self, but maybe even better. My only knock on him was his ability to handle power. All the smarts and move skills he has in spades. This camp though I’ve seen him stop powerful players with more regularity than I can remember. In part it’s because he has Proctor next to him and not a guard who is floundering. Still, in one-on-one situations, Brewer is showing something more when face with powerful players. If this continues, then this Dolphins O-line will be formidable in those key phonebooth situations in the Red Zone, and that will lead to more points and more wins.

Patrick Paul is entering his third season, and he’s mostly looked more seasoned, more stable. Paul is by far the best tackle on the roster, of course that’s not saying much. But he is continuing to grow, lane is opening up in the run game and mostly his pass protection has been good. I’ve noticed his drops, feet, balance, and hip drop is looking more disciplined, and quality technique is showing.

The one area for concern is his hands. Paul has struggled with the double move by rush defenders since college. He was often sitting too high and because he’s so tall he had a herky-jerky response to speed rushers double move. Most of that is gone, but his hand usage is still lagging. Given how strong he is and how long his arms are, this is a massive waste of a very potent asset. Now, I’m not saying it’s been terrible, but it definitely needs more consistency. If he can start firing those hands off, keep them disciplined like like his feet and hips, then great things are coming.

TBA, But Trending Positive

Jonah Savaiinaea is a great kid, and the Dolphins spent a couple of picks to draft him, but in 2025 in his rookie season he was a terrible football player. A lot was expected of him; it didn’t pan out well. But he’s young and there is a new regime, and the good news is both Jonah and this staff working together has him trending much better. You can see in the image to the right his stance in 2025. Yes, he was on the left side, and that might affect his lead foot, but the bow-legged stance is what is on either side. Notice the butt is higher than his shoulders – strange talking about another man’s butt, guess I’ll do anything when it comes to talking football. This combination was, is, a recipe for disaster.

Now check out his stance this season. Not the same angle, gotta’ work with what I can, but there is a stark difference. It’s more than a side change-though that helps. His butt is lower, shoulders higher, feet narrowed. Balanced. Coiled. Ready to fire. He still has a pitter-pat of his feet before moving, need to see more of his hands, but if your platform off then less follows. If the platform is right more follows, and I expect more from Jonah this season. How much? We’ll see.

The Ugly Sweater

Charlie Heck. What the heck! I didn’t think it would be this ugly. Nuff said about that.

Austin Jackson has been around for a long time and more often injured than not. Grier locked him in with big money last year and Sullivan managed to get a small pay cut, but he was forced to keep him. Jackson is a great guy, but he’s been injured twice so far and in his limited showing in this camp, he’s not looking good. He’s better than Heck, no doubt. Still, Jackson is clearly the weak link, and I don’t see that changing even if he can stay healthy.

Expect right tackle to be a real sore spot unless Jamaree Salyer can get healthy and give it a go, or we find a vet at some point. But if Jonah can even get to average with Paul, Proctor, and Brewer staying healthy, I think it’s workable considering Kacmarek can help support the right side… as long as Heck isn’t starting.

In the end, we aren’t where we need to be in starters and depth on the offensive line, but I think we are in a better place than we’ve seen. I also think the trajectory on the future is very promising.

And that make me smile.

Go Phins!!!