Dolphins Potential Draft Target: TCU IOL Steve Avila
The 2023 NFL draft is now only days away.
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, and we recently have focused on prospects linked to the Dolphins in national mock drafts.
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.
TCU IOL STEVE AVILA
Basic background
Avila was one of the most versatile offensive linemen in the country during his five-year tenure at TCU. In 2020, he started nine games and made starts at three different positions (six at center, two at right tackle, one at right guard).
Then, in 2021, Avila started 11 games at center before making 15 starts at left guard for a TCU team that reached the College Football National Championship.
Avila was a consensus All-American and first-team All-Big 12 selection this past season. Although Avila is known as a run blocker, he didn’t allow a sack for two straight seasons with the Horned Frogs.
He was rated as a four-star recruit by ESPN, ranked as the No. 9 offensive guard in Texas and No. 42 in the country.
Pros of Avila's Game
Avila’s 6-4, 330-pound frame is perfect for playing guard in the NFL. He’s got the requisite lower-body strength and frame to hold up against strong interior rushers at the next level.
In the running game, Avila is a people mover capable of paving open lanes for running backs. He does an excellent job using his upper-body strength to turn interior defenders out of their gaps.
He shows good leg drive to continue driving defenders down the field once he gets a hold of them.
Regarding pass protection, Avila is best on short sets where he can get his hands on defenders and then engage his anchor. Power rushers will have a tough time working through Avila on their way to the quarterback.
Cons of Avila's Game
Avila is a classic mauler. He’s an excellent run blocker with great power, but he lacks a solid athletic profile to hold up on an island as a protector.
His lateral movement skills and speed out of his stance leave him susceptible to quicker interior rushers looking to shoot gaps. This also makes Avila a target for blitzing defenders.
Avila doesn’t have the quickness to shift his weight and close a gap on a looping or blitzing defender. His worst reps on film showed a lack of awareness for stunts and twists up front, too.
His limited movement skills also prevent him from being an effective blocker out in space and at the second level.
HOW STEVE AVILA FITS THE MIAMI DOLPHINS
Miami’s left guard position could use an upgrade. With Austin Jackson being touted as the team’s right tackle, that leaves Liam Eichenberg as the primary left guard on the depth chart.
Avila’s best film is at guard, and he should play there in the NFL. But he’s also capable of playing center at the next level. That bodes well for Miami if the Dolphins don’t want to give Connor Williams a second contract next offseason.
From a scheme perspective, Avila will do wonders for the Dolphins’ inside zone and power concepts. He’s going to create a lot more movement in short areas than someone like Eichenberg.
However, the prospect of him running outside-zone concepts against NFL-caliber athletes should give the Dolphins a bit of pause.
Miami likes to get the ball out quickly in the passing game, which aligns well with Avila’s strengths. The less time he has to block on an island, the better his pass-blocking numbers will look.
Chances Avila makes it to 51
Projecting Avila’s draft slot is difficult. He’s often viewed as one of the top three interior offensive linemen in the 2023 class, along with Florida’s O’Cyrus Torrence and Minnesota’s John Michael Schmitz.
Avila’s talent is good enough not to be on the board when Miami picks at 51. However, if teams take Torrence and Michael Schmitz ahead of him, the devaluation of guards could push him to Miami’s pick.
If he is on the board when the Dolphins pick, they should put serious thought into taking him. Avila can come in right away and upgrade Miami’s line while also providing future value and versatility.
He’s a solid scheme fit, and if he can develop better awareness in pass protection, projects as an above-average starter.
OTHER POTENTIAL DOLPHINS TARGET SCOUTING REPORTS
-- North Dakota State OL Cody Mauch
-- South Dakota State TE Tucker Kraft
-- Brigham Young OT Blake Freeland
-- Syracuse OT Matthew Bergeron
-- Minnesota IOL John Michael Schmitz
-- Washington State LB Daiyan Henley
-- Penn State TE Brenton Strange
-- Syracuse CB Garrett Williams
-- Georgia TE Darnell Washington
-- Michigan TE Luke Schoonmaker
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