Why the Dolphins should explore free agent center Lamont Gaillard

Kyle Crabbs
·2 min read
  • Oops!
    Something went wrong.
    Please try again later.
  • Oops!
    Something went wrong.
    Please try again later.

The saying goes that one team’s trash is another team’s treasure. The Miami Dolphins have already cashed in on this concept under the current regime — with former Baltimore Ravens defensive lineman Zach Sieler. Sieler was cut by Baltimore thanks to their depth along the line in 2019 and has since become a reliable cog in Miami’s defensive front.

And a new opportunity may have arisen for the Dolphins to take another shot in the dark on a waiver-wire addition who could, in time, provide dividends to a position of need. The Arizona Cardinals announced yesterday that they have waived center Lamont Gaillard, formerly of the Georgia Bulldogs.

Gaillard, who started 21 games at Georgia next to Dolphins guard Solomon Kindley, has the kind of build and skillset that seems to mesh with what Miami hopes to achieve up front based on their other personnel additions on the offensive line. Remember, Miami took a shot on former Georgia tackle Isaiah Wilson earlier this offseason, too.

Gaillard is a power center who was made expendable in Arizona thanks to the team trading for Rodney Hudson, who is arguably the best center in football. And at least one scouting outlet had nothing but good things to say about Gaillard coming out of Georgia, meaning he’d be not just a scheme and need fit for Miami but also a culture fit. The Draft Network’s Joe Marino suggested Gaillard was a valued piece of the program at Georgia.

“I don’t recall another prospect that has received as much praise from teammates, coaches and people near the program then Gaillard. He draws rave reviews on his work ethic, leadership and energy which is exactly what you want to hear about a center prospect. Gaillard came to Georgia a highly regarded defensive tackle prospect but moved to offensive line during spring of 2015. A three-year starter, Gaillard has appeal in every facet at the next level. With that said, he does have some weight distribution items to clean up in addition to some technique with his foot work to improve upon. Gaillard has the upside to become a team’s starter center.” — Joe Marino, The Draft Network

Ultimately, Gaillard would be nothing more at this point than a contender in what should be considered a wide-open race for the starting center job. Miami has brought in Matt Skura and Cameron Tom this offseason to compete with utility offensive lineman Michael Deiter for the starting role — what does the team have to lose by adding Gaillard to the mix?

This isn’t to say if Miami claims Gaillard that he will go on to win the starting job. He may not win the job or even make the roster. But there’s enough parallels here that should have Miami’s interest that it can’t hurt for them to kick the tires and see if they can strike gold once again while mining the waiver wire.