Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
The Miami Dolphins needed to bolster their offensive line to protect quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, and the front office did just that. Former New Orleans Saints left tackle Terron Armstead signed a five-year, $75 million contract with Miami. according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Media. The deal includes a guaranteed $43.37 million, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefterand has a maximum of $87.5 million with incentives.
Armstead’s $15 million annual average is equal to the Detroit Lions’ Taylor Decker and is ranked 12th in the NFL according to Spotrac.
One interesting caveat regarding Armstead’s decision as a free agent is that he won’t be a blind blocker for Tagovailoa if he stays on the left side because the young signalman is left-handed. Armstead topped CBS Sports’ list of the best free agents available, as he was the top player in that class of free agents. Although Armstead has only played eight games in 2021 due to injury, he registered a 75.9 PFF while allowing just one sack, two QBs and 12 pressings in 263 pass-blocking snaps.
Originally a third-round pick by Arkansas-Pine Bluff in 2013, Armstead has made three Pro Bowls in the past four seasons. However, injuries were a problem as he never played a full season in nine years.
Armstead isn’t the only lineman Miami signed in the offseason: The Dolphins poached guard Connor Williams from the Dallas Cowboys. With a new offensive head coach, Mike McDaniel, the Dolphins added runners Chase Edmonds and Raheem Mostert, as well as wide receiver Sed Wilson. However, McDaniel understands that successful offensive play depends on the quarterback’s defense, and his front office has scored a huge chunk at Armstead.
- Miami offensive line problems: This offseason, the Dolphins needed to rethink their offensive line if they wanted to compete. The PFF named them the worst division in the league at the end of the 2021 season as they succumbed to a league-record 235 pressure. Not only did this affect the Dolphins’ game challenges when their quarterbacks had to get rid of the ball quickly, but it also affected Tagovailoa and his development. In Week 2 against the Buffalo Bills, Tagovailoa took a brutal hit that broke several ribs after Jesse Davis was knocked off the edge just after the snap. If you keep him upright, he should improve as well as the rest of the team.
- Sketch plans for dolphins: Could this addition change the Dolphins’ draft plans? Frankly, it’s too hard to say. Miami is 29th overall in the 2022 NFL Draft, which means they could go different ways depending on how they get the board. CBS Sports NFL Draft expert Chris Trapasso still believes the Dolphins are moving to the offensive line as he forces them to take Northern Iowa forward Trevor Penning in his dummy draft released Wednesday.
- What will the Saints do now?: The Saints had always known that losing Armstead to free agency was a possibility, so they should have thought of a contingency plan. Free agents have several options, such as Duane Brown and Eric Fisher, but the Saints can also use their first-round pick for a new left tackle. The aforementioned Penning, ranked 18th overall, is eligible to play for New Orleans. There’s also Tulsa’s Tyler Smith, who could be a left tackle at the next level.