The tackle position is the hottest thing in NFL free agency at the moment. Multiple teams are still looking for a veteran guy to protect their quarterback in the pocket. Multiple quality players still remain looking for a contract. The Miami Dolphins are completing their tour of tackles. They have engaged in trade talks for Branden Albert. They have worked out Eric Winston and Bryant McKinnie and are now bringing in Tyson Clabo.
The Dolphins have been in desperate need of signing a tackle after losing Jake Long to free agency. If Ryan Tannehill has any hope of succeeding, they need someone that has proven success. Clabo could be a solid addition. He has proved to be extremely durable, starting every game for the past five seasons for the Atlanta Falcons. He played a large part in the reason quarterback Matt Ryan was able to be successful last season. Clabo could stabilize the right side of the line while Jonathan Martin takes care of the left.
Miami is not the only team interested in Clabo. The Atlanta Falcons could consider re-signing him after not addressing that need in the NFL Draft. Atlanta still has holes to fill on their offensive line. If they are able to get the contract extension for Ryan complete, they could then look at bringing back Clabo at a price that works with their remaining cap space. They currently have $3 million remaining in free space and assumed starter Lamar Holmes may or may not pan out as a great option. Clabo could find himself back in the south.
The Detroit Lions are another team that has shown interest in bringing in a tackle. They drafted Reilly Reiff to hopefully be an immediate starter, but their remaining tackle Corey Hilliard has not had that much success. He has five starts under his belt with four penalties and five sacks. The team has enough cap space remaining to possibly sign Clabo or Winston to a deal. Making a deal for Albert is likely out of the question.
The remaining tackles are not going to sit on the market for long. It is the need most teams are going to address immediately now that the draft is over.
