For Tunsil, play needs to match his talent

The gifts are evident, and undeniable.

Laremy Tunsil possesses a well-proportioned body set on a 6-foot-5, 310-pound frame.

He’s got fluid hips, and clean footwork. His kick slide is second nature, and paired with his 34-inch arms, his attributes should make him a pillar of granite at left tackle for the Miami Dolphins.

Throughout the course of his football career, Tunsil’s athleticism and strength have allowed him to make the game look easy. It led to many labeling him an elite talent his whole life.

But the word “elite” wouldn’t be used to describe Tunsil’s play this season. Erratic or inconsistent would be more fitting.

“I don’t want to say it’s been a learning experience, but that’s what I’m leaning towards,” Tunsil said last week when asked to summarize his first season at left tackle in the NFL. “I’ve had some up and down moments. Overall, I’m learning.”

At times he’s struggling. Tunsil has allowed five sacks, seven quarterback hits, and 20 hurries this season.

He’s committed 12 penalties, many of which were false starts. That’s the most on Miami’s roster, and fifth most of all tackles in the league this year.

ProFootballFocus.com, a scouting service that grades every NFL team and player, ranks Tunsil as the NFL’s 47th best offensive tackle this season. Out of the 38 offensive tackles that have played a minimum of 75 percent of this season’s snaps, Tunsil ranks 32nd according to ProFootballFocus.com.

Much more was expected from Tunsil, who the Dolphins selected 13th overall in the 2016 draft, and this season raises the question of whether Miami has a reliable left tackle.

Jake Long, who the Dolphins made the first overall pick in the 2008 draft, anchored Miami’s offensive line from his very first snap in the NFL. And so did Rich-