The Miami Dolphins could look at Evan Mathis as a free agent target if the team is concerned about the offensive line situation heading into training camp, as Branden Albert may not be healthy and that could put the guard situation in flux if someone moves to tackle and this comes as Mike Pouncey, Ju'Wuan James, Billy Turner and Jamil Douglas could be starters this season.
The Dolphins offensive line is looking to improve heading into 2015 and the Miami Herald's Barry Jackson reports that there is "definitely concern" with the players about the guard position. Jackson writes that the players are concerned that "no one seized the opportunity" to grab the starting job this offseason in OTAs and minicamp. The team brought in Jamil Douglas in the draft and he could battle with players like Billy Turner and Dallas Thomas if no one is signed. Jackson adds that Evan Mathis is a target for the team in free agency and things could start to happen with just a few weeks to go until camps open up.
The Dolphins had interest in Mathis back when he was being shopped in trades for the Eagles, but now he is on the open market. The Miami Herald reported that Miami did not want to get into a bidding war for Mathis, but that could be what the team opts to do if there are issues at guard coming into camp. Last month the team reportedly said they were "confortable" with the guard position in minicamp, but with Albert still recovering, the line could be in flux.
Training camp opens on July 30 for the Dolphins and according to ESPN Dolphins reporter James Walker, Albert looked "far from ready" in offseason workouts. If Albert misses in time in camp it will make the holes on the line look more glaring and could force the team to make a deal. Walker wrote that albert is not guaranteed to be ready for Week 1 even though the team has him "on track" to start by the opening game of the season. The team has "little depth" at left tackle and they have issues at the guard position.
Pouncey is coming in and will be the starter and that is not a question, while James is in at right tackle. Albert is at the left tackle position and that is one area of concern, while Mathis could come in and push players to start like Douglas and Turner. Mathis has often been rated as one of the best guards in the league by Pro Football Focus.
The Dolphins are coming into the season with high expectations after making a number of moves in the offseason, including signing Ndamukong Suh and inking Ryan Tannehill to an extension. The offensive line has not played all that well over the past couple years and they have allowed Tannehill get sacked a bit too much and moving forward Miami will look to cut down on that. Adding Mathis could help the guard position and the offensive line overall, but the team doesn't want to overspend.
