Dolphins Potential Draft Target: OT Blake Freeland
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The 2023 NFL draft is quickly approaching.
The Miami Dolphins don’t have a first-round pick (would have been 21st overall) due to tampering with Tom Brady and Sean Payton, but they do have the 51st overall pick, a third-round pick (85) and two Day 3 picks (198 and 241).
Miami is hoping those picks can help them build on a roster that reached the playoffs this past season for the first time since 2016.
This article series is intended to be an introduction to these players so fans are familiar with a number of options and why they make sense for the Dolphins.
We’ll dive into some simple biographical information, the pros and cons of their game and how they fit into Miami’s scheme or depth chart.
BRIGHAM YOUNG OT BLAKE FREELAND
Basic background: Freeland is one of the more experienced tackles in the 2022 class. He was a four-year starter for the Cougars, playing in 44 games and making 41 starts. Freeland helped the Cougars have one of the highest-rated offensive lines in the country during the 2020 season. Freeland was a multi-sport athlete at Herriman High School in Utah. Freeland played basketball and was an All-State javelin and shotput thrower. He also has athletic bloodlines. His father was a linebacker at BYU from 1994 through 1995, and his mom is the eighth-highest scorer in BYU women's basketball history.
Pros of Freeland's Game
All of Freeland’s strengths center around his combination of size and vertical athleticism. Freeland measured 6-7 with 33⅞-inch arms at the NFL combine, making him one of the bigger tackles in the class. His testing numbers were also quite impressive. Freeland finished in at least the 90th percentile in the 40-yard dash, broad jump and vertical jump. His vertical jump of 37 inches ranked in the 99th percentile. Freeland’s experience playing in an outside-zone scheme projects well with what Miami wants to do. He’s played in, essentially, a Shanahan-style offense for the past three seasons. He’s well-versed in how to win within that scheme. Freeland’s size and athleticism in pass protection allow him to overwhelm some pass rushers early in reps. When the ball is out quickly, it’s hard to get around someone with as much size as Freeland.
Cons of Freeland's Game
While Freeland tested well at the combine, his film paints a muddy picture of his functional athleticism. His height gives some advantages, but it also makes it difficult for him to change directions smoothly and bend at his hips. Freeland struggles with quick-twitch speed rushers when he’s forced to pass block for more than a couple of seconds. He doesn’t have the reactive athleticism to match them in tight spaces. He also struggles with power rushers because of his 12th-percentile weight. He doesn’t have a great anchor, allowing rushers to collapse the pocket with speed-to-power moves. If Freeland is forced to pass protect for too long, he’ll lose to power and speed moves. His height also makes it difficult for him to keep leverage in the running game. Freeland does an excellent job using the angles created by outside-zone concepts, but more intelligent NFL defensive linemen will out-leverage him.
HOW BLAKE FREELAND FITS THE MIAMI DOLPHINS
The best argument for Miami drafting Freeland is how well he fits into their scheme. BYU ran a lot of outside-zone and Shanahan concepts when Zach Wilson was the team’s quarterback, and they stuck with it even after he left.
That should make Freeland’s transition to the Dolphins’ scheme a little easier. He understands how to run block with the angles afforded to him, and Miami gets the ball out quickly, keeping Freeland from having to block too long.
Freeland also has some right tackle in his background. He played there as a freshman before transitioning to left tackle. The Dolphins have a huge hole at right tackle, which Freeland could fill.
The issue with the Dolphins drafting Freeland is he’s not ready to play immediately. He’s a project with legitimate technique issues and physical limitations to overcome. Freeland could be valuable as a long-term left tackle, but the Dolphins need help on the offensive line now.
Chances Freeland makes it to 51
Freeland coming off the board before pick No. 51 would be a surprise. He’s not highly regarded in this class by most major draft websites, despite his outrageous combine performance.
He’s a scheme-specific player, too. Any team not running an outside-zone rushing attack likely will stay away from Freeland. For the Dolphins, drafting Freeland at 51 — and 84, frankly — would be irresponsible.
His film does not merit that high of a selection, no matter what his testing numbers say. Freeland was a four-year starter, but he still needs development. The Dolphins are in win-now mode and should consider players with a higher floor, even if it means sacrificing some upside.
If the Dolphins can get Freeland on Day 3, he makes a ton of sense as a worthwhile developmental tackle.
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