The NFL’s annual scouting combine begins Monday, Feb. 26, allowing teams to evaluate each 2024 NFL draft prospect’s athletics abilities in on-field drills, interview them and put them through a medical check-up.
This series will provide fans with players to watch and monitor at each of the Miami Dolphins’ most significant positions of need, starting with the offensive line.
The Dolphins’ offensive line improved in some areas last season, but it has two crucial pending free agents in center Connor Williams and guard Robert Hunt.
The left guard position also could be upgraded, and left tackle Terron Armstead isn’t getting any younger (or healthier). Even if the Dolphins re-sign Williams and Hunt, this is a position the team should consider with its first-round pick (No. 21) in April.
Let’s look at a few options at each offensive line position.
Mims is built like an All-Pro offensive tackle. His massive frame makes him an absolute menace in the running game. In the passing game, his size and length force defensive linemen to commit a lot of effort to get by him.
Mims’ film is top-15 worthy. So why is he someone Dolphins fans should watch next week? Well, Mims has a few holes in his profile that could push him outside the top 15.
For starters, Mims only has recorded more than 300 offensive snaps in one season (2022). That’s due to injuries and playing behind players like Broderick Jones, who was selected in the first round of the draft last year by the Steelers.
The combine matters to Mims for a few reasons, but making sure his medicals check out is at the top of the list. He’s also the type of player who can generate a lot of buzz at the combine because he’s so athletic for his massive size.
If the Dolphins were to draft Mims, they could groom him as Armstead’s potential replacement. Or they could plug him at right tackle and move Austin Jackson to left guard, where he’s played well in the past.
Latham is similar to Mims in play style. Latham also is a big-bodied right tackle who thrives moving defensive linemen off the line of scrimmage in the running game. He’s one of the class’s best pure run blockers, and he has plenty of athletic ability to hold up in pass protection.
However, Latham struggles with consistency. He’s got a bad habit of committing pre-snap penalties to get into his stance quickly because he can struggle to protect his outside shoulder.
Latham has all the natural tools to be a successful tackle, which typically leads to a strong combine performance. Pay attention to how Latham moves through drills and his short-area quickness times.
Assuming the Dolphins are willing to redshirt Latham in 2024, he could be the team’s long-needed answer at left tackle sooner rather than later.
Dominick Puni, Kansas, 6-5, 320
Mims and Latham are expected to go in the first round of the draft. So there’s a chance they could be off the board when Miami picks. Puni isn’t a first-round player, but he’s an ascending prospect the Dolphins could consider in the second round.
Puni performed quite well at the Senior Bowl last month, showing he could win with power and athletic ability against some impressive competition. On tape, Puni is a reliable pass protector and aggressive run blocker.
Besides costing the Dolphins a less valuable pick, Puni provides another advantage — versatility. He recorded 728 snaps at left tackle in 2023 and 848 snaps at left guard in 2022.
Many teams will view Puni as a guard, but he likely can hold his own on the outside in a pinch. This would give the Dolphins Armstead insurance for this season and an upgrade at left guard.
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