Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Regardless what some Miami Dolphins fans say, if they let all-pro and four time pro bowler left tackle Jake Long walk it will be a grave mistake. Long is an absolute monster at 6′ 7″ 315 lbs. and is a man whom has lived up to his number one overall pick status as he has neutralized pass rushers left and right. Besides being an elite pass blocker, he is an excellent run blocker that enjoyed blowing holes open for Reggie Bush for the last two seasons.
If Long walks as well, which seems more and more likely by the day, 2nd year player Jonathan Martin will make the permanent move from the right side to the left side and will likely struggle. Due to this thought the Dolphins should consider Lane Johnson who played his college ball for the University of Oklahoma Sooners with pick 12, provided they stay put there in the 2013 NFL Draft come April.
Despite coming off a serious triceps tear injury, Long will still warrant a monster contract and rightfully so, likely around $10-12 million a season and a team like the New England Patriots could very well splurge and sign him away from their division rival and would likely sign for far less because of the reputation they have in bringing elite free agents and having them sign on the dotted line for seemingly peanuts. With that possibility, the Patriots would have an elite left tackle to protect aging quarterback Tom Brady.
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