Jackson the Man at Right Tackle
Austin Jackson never got the chance last year to show he could handle the assignment of being the Miami Dolphins' starting right tackle, but it looks like he's getting another shot in 2023.
General Manager Chris Grier said as much Wednesday during the team's annual pre-draft press conference at the Baptist Health Training Complex in Miami Gardens.
Jackson was the opening-day starter at that position last year, but he sustained an ankle injury in the 20-7 victory against the New England Patriots that day and he was injured again in his first game back, the Week 12 victory against the Houston Texans.
"The expectation is Austin is the starter at right tackle," Grier said. "We're excited for him. I know he was frustrated with some of the injuries last year. But he's been working hard. He's been doing a lot of stuff here in the offseason. Having Terron (Armstead) around, being around for a year in the offseason will be tremendous value for him."
THE BIG TACKLE DEBATE
Grier's revelation certainly was an eye-opener considering Jackson's career so far since the Dolphins made him the 18th overall pick in the 2020 NFL draft with their second of three first-round picks.
Yes, injuries were a problem last year, but Jackson simply didn't perform up to expectations while starting 28 games in 2020 and 2021. Things got bad enough at left tackle for Jackson in 2021 that he eventually was moved to left guard.
While head coach Mike McDaniel and his assistants consistently expressed their confidence in Jackson's ability to handle the right tackle spot last year, the reality is that Jackson didn't get much of a chance to prove himself.
And given his performance at left tackle and left guard, that led to widespread speculation that the Dolphins would bring in a veteran to either start at right tackle or at the very least compete for the position.
The most logical name involved was Brandon Shell, who started 11 games at right tackle for the Dolphins last season and did a serviceable job.
Grier's statement Wednesday certainly would explain Shell having not re-signed with the Dolphins this offseason after they re-signed tackles Kendall Lamm and Geron Christian, neither of whom have been regular starters in the NFL.
Grier's statement also would suggest that the notion of the Dolphins going for a tackle with either of their Day 2 picks was almost a slam dunk no longer applies. While it's possible the Dolphins still could address the position in the draft, it might be a long shot now.
Finally, the Dolphins also have maintained their confidence in Liam Eichenberg as the left guard, meaning that we're looking at a starting offensive line of Armstead, Eichenberg, Connor Williams, Robert Hunt and Jackson.
