Dolphins Should Revisit Fluker Idea

Veteran offensive lineman D.J. Fluker had an ill-fated stint with the Miami Dolphins but has been working to return to the NFL

The D.J. Fluker experiment flopped for the Miami Dolphins two years ago, but is it time for a follow-up?

Fluker, a 2013 first-round pick of the Chargers, seems to be in the best shape of his career as the veteran offensive lineman attempts to make an NFL comeback.

Fluker is set to participate in Alabama’s Pro Day on Thursday, showcasing himself in front of all 32 teams, and the Dolphins need to be paying attention.

Few remember that Fluker, who hasn’t played in an NFL game since his stint with the Baltimore Ravens in 2020, had a cup of coffee with the Dolphins back in 2021.

He was signed that April with the goal of having him compete for the starting right tackle spot, but a knee injury that flared up before training camp kept him from participating in practices, and he was waived with an injury settlement four days into training camp.

Since then Fluker, who has started 96 NFL games at guard and tackle in his nine-year career, has bounced around various team’s practice squads.

Seemingly sensing that his NFL career was coming to a close, the routinely heavy offensive lineman committed himself to getting in the best shape of his career and reportedly is down to chiseled 330 pounds. During his career he played most seasons 20 pounds heavier, but was known as a forceful run blocker.

With Fluker’s starting experience and positional flexibility, it’s not at all implausible to think an NFL team will try to seize on this reclamation project and sign him to a veteran minimum deal, carrying him to training camp.

WHY ADDING FLUKER WOULD MAKE SENSE FOR THE DOLPHINS

Considering General Manager Chris Grier once liked Fluker enough to sign him, and the Dolphins benefit from adding reinforcements to the offensive line, adding Fluker to the fold could be a low-risk, high-reward transaction.

Terron Armstead’s durability concerns should encourage Miami to have depth on the offensive line seeing as how the four-time Pro Bowl selection hasn’t played a complete season during his 10-year career and likely won't practice during the offseason and training camp.

Austin Jackson, a 2020 first-round pick, hasn’t proven he’s a reliable starter in his first three seasons. Last year he missed all but two games with ankle injuries. But the Dolphins appear committed to seeing if he’s starter material in 2023, penciling Jackson in as the player protecting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa’s blind side.

Geron Christian, Kendall Lamm and Kion Smith are the only backup offensive tackles presently on Miami's roster. Brandon Shell, Eric Fisher and Greg Little, the three veteran offensive tackles who spent time — if not started games — with the Dolphins last season remain free agents.

The Dolphins don’t seem to be in a rush to re-sign anyone in this trio. However, there’s no rush considering dozens of veterans will sign deals after the draft and before training camp starts.

One issue that should be factored into any decision is that Fluker was suspended for six games by the NFL for an undisclosed violation. Whatever team signing him will need to investigate that issue, and be comfortable with placing him inside their locker room.

At the very least, the Dolphins owe it to themselves to investigate the idea of giving Fluker another shot.