Keeping Tua safe should be priority

Miami Dolphins center Connor Williams played all 1,057 offensive snaps last season. Right guard Robert Hunt missed only one snap. Those positions are good. Left guard? Well, that remains a work in progress with incumbent Liam Eichenberg likely to get training camp competition.

And even if the interior offensive line returns intact, work needs to be done.

Some of that responsibility rests with new offensive line coach Butch Barry. But he needs talented players.

As for getting players on the roster capable of carrying out the game plan, well, free agency might have some answers.

Teams can begin talking to free agents at noon on March 13. Teams can sign free agents at 4 p.m. March 15.

The Dolphins’ interior offensive line is close to being sufficient, at the very least.

Williams allowed just 16 pressures in 18 games, according to Pro Football Focus, and graded an above-average 85.6 in run blocking.

Hunt, who allowed 21 pressures in 18 games, graded a respectable 73.7 for the season, according to Pro Football Focus.

Eichenberg, who allowed 27 pressures in 10 games and battled a late-season knee injury, graded out at 39.8, according to Pro Football Focus.

The Dolphins’ offensive line as a whole ranked No. 22 in the league, according to Pro Football Focus.

As for filling the interior offensive line gaps, perhaps a veteran such as guard/center Jon Feliciano, a former University of Miami and Western High standout, is interested in a homecoming. Feliciano, 31, has started games at right guard primarily, but also left guard and center.

Someone such as Denver’s Dalton Risner might be more ideal, considering he played for Barry last season with the Broncos. But Risner will probably be looking for between $8-9 million per season, which is likely much more than the Dolphins want to pay.

Perhaps Dolphins returnee Robert Jones fills the starting left guard role, or at least provides

good training camp competition for the starting job and, at the very least, serves as a quality backup. He played well last season.

Jones, though, is all the Dolphins have among primary returnees.

Michael Deiter, the 2019 thirdround pick, is a free agent.

Lester Cotton, a late-season call up from the practice squad, will get a look.

However, it seems apparent the Dolphins will need backup help, and possibly starting help, from outside the roster.

However, they’re not looking to spend a lot of money in free agency, which means they won’t be in contention with anyone eligible to get the franchise tag. The first day teams can use the franchise tag was Tuesday, and the final day is March 7.

In the best case scenario, the starting interior offensive line of Williams, Hunt and Eichenberg returns intact and the Dolphins end up needing a couple of quality backups to join Jones.

But no one knows whether Eichenberg can be trusted to that extent yet.

There’s also a chance, although not a likelihood, Hunt becomes the starting right tackle, surpassing Austin Jackson.

In that case, the Dolphins might need two starting guards.

Most likely, however, the Dolphins will be shopping for someone to challenge Eichenberg in training camp for the starting spot and a couple of quality backups.

As for the Dolphins filling their interior offensive line needs through the draft, consider they have more urgent needs such as running back, offensive tackle, inside linebacker and corner back that might be well-suited for their draft position.

Remember, the Dolphins lost their first-round pick due to tampering and traded another firstround pick to Denver in the deal to acquire edge rusher Bradley Chubb at last season’s trade deadline.

The Dolphins’ first three draft selections are a lone pick in the second round (No. 51) and two picks in the third round (Nos. 77 and 84).

They also have a sixth- and a seventh-round pick, draftees that can’t be counted on as reliable rookie backups.

So that leaves free agency as the most viable option for backup interior offensive line.

Although Williams and Hunt were iron men last season, the Dolphins can’t skimp in this area.

After all, these guys must protect Tua Tagovailoa.

Jones did a good job last season in spot duty and could develop into a starter this year.

It doesn’t seem likely the Dolphins will open training camp with Jones and Eichenberg battling for the starting job. There would probably be a third, and possibly a fourth contender.

And keep in mind the Dolphins could also use a backup center so versatility is a bonus.

Here’s a quick look at interior offensive linemen (centers and guards) that might interest the Dolphins in free agency.

Dalton Risner, Denver: Risner, 27, started 62 of 66 games for the Broncos over the last four years and has played both guard positions. He’ll be near the top of the list for free agent guards with Spotrac.com giving him a market value of about $9.5 million per year, likely more than the Dolphins want to spend. He allowed 29 pressures in 967 snaps and graded out at 61.1, according to Pro Football Focus.

Tom Compton, San Francisco: Compton, 31, has played both guard positions and tackle, but a back injury limited him to just 30 snaps last year. Compton was with coach Mike McDaniel in Washington and Atlanta, and he was with offensive line coach Butch Barry in San Francisco. Compton would be a backup swingman at guard and tackle.

Jon Feliciano, N.Y. Giants: Feliciano, 31, has center and guard experience. Last season, he played a career-best 971 snaps, all at center. He allowed 22 pressures and graded a so-so 57.7, according to Pro Football Focus. The 2015 fourth-round pick by Oakland has also played for Buffalo and the New York Giants, primarily playing guard.

Nate Davis, Tennessee: Davis, 26, played right guard last season, totaling 682 snaps and grading out at an impressive 70.3, according to Pro Football Focus. Davis has only played right guard, so if the Dolphins show interest it likely means they have plans to look at moving right guard Robert Hunt to right tackle.

Billy Price, Arizona: Price, 28, started at center in all 11 games he played last season. The 2018 first-round choice by Cincinnati would be a backup center with the Dolphins. Part of Price’s value is he’s a former starter who has also played left and right guard. He started 15 games for the Giants in 2021 after being traded from Cincinnati. He had 11 penalties, second among NFL centers, and allowed 16 pressures in 752 snaps, according to Pro Football Focus, grading at 51.3.

Others to watch: Oday Aboushi , LA Rams; Justin Pugh, Arizona; Trai Turner, Washington; Justin McCray , Houston; Evan Brown, Detroit.

DOUG MURRAY/AP The Dolphins could bolster their offensive line through free agency this offseason.