Dolphins will add depth at center behind Deiter

Here are options in the 2022 NFL Draft at center for the Dolphins, who are looking to add competition for 2021 starter Michael Deiter.

The Dolphins upgraded their offensive line by adding two veteran starters in the offseason but still have a need for depth at center. Michael Deiter, who started eight games in 2021, is the only player on the Dolphins roster listed as a center. General manager Chris Grier told reporters at last month’s league owners meetings that the team would add competition for Deiter, a 2019 third-round pick.

WHAT DO THE DOLPHINS NEED?

As Grier stated, depth and competition for Deiter. Pro Football Focus graded Deiter as a below-average center in 2021 but Grier said he believes the 25year-old is still in his “developmental window.”

The athletic criteria the team would seek in a tackle applies to center but this position also comes with a mental barrier to climb. The center is often regarded as the “quarterback” of the offensive line, with the player needing the acumen to make presnap line calls — communication from the

center to the rest of the offensive line that identifies the defense and allows the unit to execute its blocking assignments correctly.

Any addition at center also will likely need to have the ability to play guard or tackle if they don’t unseat Deiter for a starting role. This way, the Dolphins can maximize their lineup options on game day. For example, Deiter started 15 games at left guard as a rookie and has played tackle in college. The Dolphins typically played games with eight offensive linemen active and sought positional versatility in their reserve linemen.

It’s a tall ask for any rookie, especially one that will be drafted late Day 2 or on Day 3 when the Dolphins are finally on the clock — their first pick is No. 102 in Round 3. But recent history suggests it’s not far-fetched. In the past five seasons, five players drafted in the third round or later have made at least seven starts at center in their rookie seasons.

Here are centers the Dolphins could target in the draft:

NEBRASKA’S CAM JURGENS

Why he’d fit: Jurgens is a former high school tight end who can move at 6-2 and 303 pounds — his 4.92 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine is in 96th percentile for offensive linemen. He has long arms and started 31 games at center in college, being named third-team All-Big Ten in 2021.

Why he’d fit: Parham is another former high school tight end with the quickness to move in space and can get to the second level of defense for blocks. He offers positional versatility, having made double-digit starts at left guard, right guard and right tackle in college.

Why he might not:

Parham didn’t make a single start at center in college but that may be where he’s pigeonholed to in the NFL because of his size — 6-2, 311 pounds — and short arms for the position — 33 ⁄8 inches

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was in the 43rd percentile for offensive linemen.

Projection: Round 3

CHATTANOOGA’S COLE STRANGE

Why he’d fit: Strange, who had an informal meeting with the Dolphins at the combine, is an excellent athlete. His 40-yard dash, 20-yard shuttle, broad jump and 3-cone all landed in at least the 88th percentile for offensive linemen. He was a five-year starter in a zone running scheme he called the “bread and butter” of the team’s offense.

Why he might not: 307 pounds and with a lean frame, Strange has little margin for error against more powerful linemen. He made 29 starts at left guard and just one at center in college but spent time at the position at the Senior Bowl. Like Parham, he might be moved to center because of his size.

Projection: Round 3

KENTUCKY’S LUKE FORTNER ARIZONA STATE’S DOHNOVAN WEST

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Why he’d fit: Fortner, who was named firstteam All-SEC in 2021, fundamentally sound player who showed versatility in a zone-based scheme. He made 20 starts at right guard, 13 at center and three at left guard in college.

Why he might not: 2021 was Fortner’s sole season playing center in college. He can lose his leverage at times when his technique is off and might not always have the strength to recover.

Projection: Round 3

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Why he’d fit: West, who won’t turn 21 until two weeks after the draft, was a three-year starter in college who split time at center and both guard spots. He has good lateral quickness and was rarely out of position; he was never flagged for holding over his college career.

Why he might not: West will need to add weight to his frame — he weighed 296 pounds and the combine and 309 at his Pro Day — to hold up against defensive tackles.

While he moves well, he’s been noted to have an unusual hitch from his snaps to his first step that may need to be addressed.

Projection: Round 3-4

BOSTON COLLEGE’S ALEC LINDSTROM

Why he might fit: Lindstrom played in a heavy zone-run scheme under new Dolphins offensive line coach Matt Applebaum. Lindstrom was regarded as the captain of an offensive line that churned out multiple 2022 Draft prospects, including projected first-round pick Zion Johnson. All 37 of Lindstrom’s starts at college came at center. He’s a cerebral player whose intelligence serves as a buffer for his less-thanideal measurables. He also has NFL pedigree as the younger brother of Atlanta Falcons center Chris Lindstrom. Alec’s father Chris Sr. is an NFL Hall of Famer, and his uncle Dave played in the NFL for eight seasons.

Why he might not: Lindstrom doesn’t have favorable size — he weighed in at 296 pounds at the combine — or length — he measured at less than 33 inches — and the feeling is that at 24 years old, there’s not much more weight to be added to his frame. Lindstrom is also a marginal athlete for his position — his 40-yard dash and 20-yard shuttle landed in the 58th and

47th percentile, respectively — and doesn’t offer much positional versatility.

Projection: Round 6-7

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