Feedback, notes on the six rookie offensive linemen hoping to make the Dolphins

The Dolphins so far have delayed signing a veteran right tackle to compete with Austin Jackson.

But they’re bringing in a handful of college tackles, hoping to find a diamond in the rough.

That group includes one draft pick (seventh-rounder Ryan Hayes) and four undrafted rookies: Michigan State left tackle Jarrett Horst, South Dakota left tackle Alex Jensen, Miami Hurricanes right guard/right tackle DJ Scaife and Cincinnati left tackle James Tunstall.

They will compete for possibly one job on the 53-man roster – or multiple jobs on the practice squad.

Kendall Lamm and Geron Christian are the only veteran backup offensive tackles under contract, behind starter Terron Armstead and potential starter Austin Jackson.

Though general manager Chris Grier says the “expectation” is that Jackson will start, another veteran could be signed to compete with him at some point.

Even though Robert Hunt can play right tackle, the Dolphins say they prefer to play him at right guard.

Some notes on each of the five rookie tackles:

▪ Hayes/Horst: The Dolphins, coincidentally, added two Michigan-based Big 10 starting left tackles within an hour of each other early Saturday evening.

Hayes, who’s 6-6 and 298, was a better overall prospect than Horst and considered the better pass blocker; that’s why he was drafted and Horst wasn’t.

But Horst, who is 6-6 and 300 pounds, graded out better as a run blocker last season.

Pro Football Focus rated Horst 18th overall among all tackles last season, compared with 55th for Hayes.

After transferring from Arkansas State, Horst started eight games at left tackle for Michigan State in 2021 (allowing six quarterback hurries and one sack) and then seven games in 2022 (allowing seven pressures and three sacks in 267 pass rushing chances).

Conversely, Hayes allowed nine pressures but no sacks in 287 pass blocking chances last season.

Pass protection? Advantage Hayes.

But PFF rated Horst the nation’s seventh-best tackle as a run blocker, compared to 74th for Hayes.

Horst, incidentally, was the first pick of the USFL draft in February.

NFLdraftbuzz.com said Horst “uses his hands well... shows impressive coordination between his upper and lower body when moving in pass protection” and “thrives on physicality, often out-grappling bigger defensive linemen and winning in the phone booth with tenacity and upper-body strength. He’s extremely light on his feet for a 300-pounder. He’s athletic and a pure left tackle.

But… “he’ll struggle to get a push at the points of attack against NFL defensive linemen. Whiffs on blocks after beaten initially and lacks range and lateral quickness. Not an explosive athlete and has limited range… High-hipped frame and waist bending might be exposed against pro pass rushers.”

It’s possible Hayes could move to guard. But some analysts like his upside at tackle.

“I was surprised he lasted [to 238 in the draft],” ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. said. “His 2022 tape is very solid.”

NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein predicts Hayes “could become an average tackle or guard in the pros,” cautioning that he “is missing functional length as a tackle” but “plays with a slightly elevated pad level that could slow a transition inside to guard.”

▪ Cincinnati’s Tunstall: He was an FCS All-American at Stony Brook before transferring to Cincinnati, where he started 24 games at left tackle during the past two seasons.

He has good size (6-5, 320), but his metrics were poor last season.

Per PFF, he permitted six sacks and 20 pressures in 461 pass blocking snaps last season. Only 12 FBS offensive tackles relinquished more sacks.

And PFF rated him just 322nd as a run blocker last season.

Among the four FBS tackles added by the Dolphins (Hayes, Horst, Scaife and Tunstall), Tunstall was rated by far the worst by PFF for 2022 performance – 213th overall.

▪ South Dakota’s Jensen: PFF doesn’t have metrics on FCS prospects, but the 6-7, 299-pounder is considered a fringe pro prospect. He started 22 games at left tackle the past two years and was All-Missouri Valley Conference second team both seasons. NFLdraftcountdown.com rated him the 34th-best tackle in the draft.

▪ UM’s Scaife: He started extensively at both guard and tackle for the Hurricanes, and PFF rated him 170th among 559 qualifying FBS tackles last season.

PFF rated him especially well as a pass blocker last season (56th). Playing right tackle, he permitted 15 pressures and just two sacks in 483 pass blocking chances.

But PFF rated him just 276th as a run blocker; UM runs behind right tackle averaged just 3.5 yards last season.

NFLdraftscout.com said Scaife is “fundamentally sound and understands blocking angles, using body positioning to his advantage. Disciplined awareness and good intelligence. Solid positional run blocker who flashes the nasty demeanor and killer instinct scouts covet. Has adequate foot quickness to remain outside. Bursts off the snap and sets up quickly with little wasted motion.”

But, the website said he “needs to work on his technique in pass protection, using more consistent leverage and continuing to move his feet. Has only average measurable with limited arm length and no overpowering qualities. Not physically imposing.”

The Dolphins also signed San Diego State center Alama Ulnave. PFF rated him 101st among 284 centers last season.

PFF said he was the nation’s 15th-best pass blocker among centers; in 367 pass blocking snaps last season, he allowed only one sack and 10 pressures.

Pro Football Network’s Tony Pauline calls him “a hard-working center who gets the most from his ability... Possesses enough short-area quickness to play in a zone-blocking system. He’ll never start on Sundays, but Uluave has enough ability to warrant a spot on a practice squad this fall.”

At best, he’s likely a practice squad candidate because Dan Feeney is expected to back up Connor Williams at center. The Dolphins liked him enough to give him $65,000 guaranteed.