Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
With the potential Branden Albert trade with the Kansas City Chiefs still a mystery, the Miami Dolphins still have to consider the left tackle position a need area moving forward. The league has taken notice to their aggressive offseason and they have made some powerful moves, but my buddy Frank Moore gave me a great idea for one more that could go a long way to addressing the left tackle position.
The Jacksonville Jaguars are a team that can stand to make upgrades at several positions on their roster. Receiving extra draft picks can go a long way into doing so. In the 1st round, with the 2nd overall pick they selected Texas A&M left tackle, Luke Joeckel. So, it’s safe to say that left tackle is no longer a need of any priority.
The Jaguars 2012 left tackle Eugene Monroe is an option that the Dolphins should consider. His presence on the Jaguars as a left tackle who plays at a pro bowl level is why the selection of Joeckel was such a huge surprise to me. Many–including myself–speculated that Oregon’s Dion Jordan would be their selection. Maybe this selection was a wise move if they are intending to use Monroe in a trade. This would allow them to add a pick and have no drop off at left tackle. If they had selected Jordan or someone else, that same opportunity may not have presented itself.
At 6’5 306 lbs, Monroe is athletic enough to be a great fit for the system the Dolphins run on offense. Pro Football Focus ranks him the 10th best left tackle in the league. While playing on a terrible Jaguar offensive line, Monroe only allowed five sacks for the season. He was 5th in that category. He was also 8th in QB hits allowed with seven.
Monroe will be in the final year of his rookie contract. Between the drafting of Joeckel and the lack of a contract extension, a potential trade makes all the sense in the world for both teams. Monroe may be a little more expensive than Albert, but he is younger, healthier and thus should provide better value. Maybe the 54th pick on day two of the draft would do the trick.
Tony Graham is an NFL writer for www.RantSports.com.
Follow him on Twitter @tonyphintalk, “Like” him on
Facebook or add him to your network on Google
