Exploring Dolphins’ options at offensive line in first round

The first round of the NFL Draft is deeper in offensive linemen than perhaps any other position.

The question for the Dolphins is whether they will love anyone that’s available at 21, and whether they’ll pick the right one.

While their post-first round offensive line drafting (outside of Robert Hunt) has been largely deplorable for 30 years, they have traditionally hit on first-round linemen, including Laremy Tunsil, Mike Pouncey and to a lesser extent, Austin Jackson, who didn’t become the top-flight left tackle they hoped but has become a good right tackle.

At least two tackles — Notre Dame’s Joe Alt and Penn State’s Olu Fashanu — are expected to be off the board long before the Dolphins pick, and a couple others might be off the board, too.

It also would be surprising if Alabama’s JC Latham

is on the board at 21; Mel Kiper Jr. mocks him 11th. And it would be surprising if Washington guard/tackle Troy Fautanu is there at No. 21.

Here are some Pro Football Focus metrics and draft analyst feedback on the other offensive linemen expected to go in the first round (excluding Latham and Fautanu, with the projections they’ll be off the board by 21):

Duke’s Graham Barton,

a tackle who is projected to be an interior lineman in the NFL and is now a popular mock pick for Miami.

The metrics: He played every one of his snaps at left tackle the past three seasons, including 492 last season. He allowed two sacks and nine hurries in 258 pass blocking snaps last season after yielding two sacks in 2022 and six in 2021.

For 2023, PFF gave him decent grades as a run blocker (71.2) and pass blocker (78.2).

The reaction: Kiper and NFL Net’s Daniel Jeremiah both have him going to Miami at 21 in some versions of their mock drafts in the past month, with Jeremiah noting: “He could play all five spots up front.”

(Kiper now has Barton going 20th and the Dolphins taking FSU edge player Jared Verse at No. 21.)

ESPN’s Jordan Reid said: “Some scouts believe Barton could play tackle or guard at the next level, especially because he has played left tackle for Duke the past three seasons. But I see him fitting in best at center, where he began his college career.”

Oregon State tackle Taliese Fuaga: It would be a long-shot for him to get to Miami. Kiper has him in the mid-teens.

The metrics: All of his snaps the past three seasons have come at right tackle, including 699 last season. In 734 career pass blocking snaps, he didn’t allow a single sack and 18 pressures. And PFF rated him an elite run blocker last season (90.9).

The reaction: Jeremiah mocks him 10th: “I love