Dolphins Host Veteran Free Agent Tackle
Miami Dolphins GM Chris Grier wanted to send the message last week that Austin Jackson is the team's starting right tackle, but that doesn't mean he's done looking for help at the position.
Proof came with the report Monday, via ESPN's Field Yates and confirmed by a league source, that the team hosting veteran tackle Cameron Fleming on a free agent visit.
Fleming is a veteran is nine NFL seasons, including his first four with the New England Patriots and the last two with the Denver Broncos.
Last season, Fleming played under new Dolphins offensive line coach Butch Barry and started 15 games. In his 2021 season with the Broncos, Fleming's head coach was new Dolphins defensive coordinator Vic Fangio.
FLEMING'S NFL CAREER
Fleming has had an up-and-down career since the Patriots made him a fourth-round pick out of Stanford in 2014.
He has started at least two games every season, but only twice more than seven (16 with the Giants in 2020 and the 15 last season) and he's been released twice.
Along with the Patriots, Giants and Broncos, Fleming also spent two seasons with the Dallas Cowboys, where he started six games for a line that included current Dolphins center Connor Williams.
"Extremely underrated by Broncos Country at large, Fleming was arguably one of the team’s best offensive linemen in 2022. Playing both right tackle and left tackle, his versatility and ability to move defenders in the run game was displayed often as one of the few Broncos linemen who played at a favorable level.
"Fleming has his limitations as a drop-back pass protector due to limited foot speed and athleticism, but he was a bargain for Denver in comparison to his contract last season and is likely to have a solid market as a talented swing option in free agency."
THE DOLPHINS AT RIGHT TACKLE
Fleming's ability to play both left and right tackle obviously would benefit the Dolphins, and he'd even have a chance to win the starting right tackle spot if Jackson faltered.
The Dolphins already have re-signed free agent tackles Kendall Lamm and Geron Christian this offseason, but those were depth signings.
Fleming would represent the kind of veteran similar to what the Dolphins had last season with Brandon Shell, a solid tackle who's been around, can play both sides in a pinch and can handle a starting assignment if needed.
So this is one to watch.
