Fantasy Football: 5 Teams With Major Offensive-Line Concerns Entering 2017
Miami Dolphins
No team fluctuated more heavily last season based on the health of its offensive line than the Miami Dolphins. When all three of Branden Albert, Laremy Tunsil, and Mike Pouncey were healthy, the team averaged 0.14 Rushing NEP per carry; if any one of those three was out, that number fell to -0.06. They could be in for another up-and-down season this year.
The team traded Albert in March to the Jacksonville Jaguars, and he has since retired, un-retired, and been released. If you can't keep up, you're not alone.
With Tunsil moving out to left tackle, the team brought in interior lineman Ted Larsen on a three-year contact with 1.75 million guaranteed. That replacement plan didn't last long.
I've been told LG Ted Larsen (biceps) is destined for injured reserve list. Team hopes he can return after Week 8.
— Armando Salguero (@ArmandoSalguero) August 7, 2017
Even with the potential for Larsen to come off injured reserve, that's a long gap to fill at a crucial spot for a guy like Jay Ajayi.
We know the Dolphins want to run the football, as evidenced by their rush-heavy approach after Ajayi's breakout last year. But that possibility takes a slight hit given Larsen's injury unless they can figure out a stop-gap. Add in the loss of quarterback Ryan Tannehill, and the concern around Ajayi is non-negligible.
The saving grace for Ajayi could be that every running back going near him in drafts has some sort of imperfection to their name. But you also don't have to take a running back in those slots. There are wide receivers in that same range who would be fine selections and may not have the same mild concerns that Ajayi presents. While we don't necessarily need to move Ajayi down in our running back ranks, it's fair to be more willing to go wide receiver in the early second round rather than gambling on a banged-up offensive line.
