The Miami Dolphins left Week 1 with a loss to the Las Vegas Raiders, but the offensive line didn’t come away as a total disaster. In fact, the early read is a classic mixed bag: some encouraging signs on the left and middle, some ugly numbers on the right, and enough to make the whole thing feel like a work in progress rather than a finished product.
That’s life in the trenches. When a quarterback has time to launch a deep ball, the line rarely gets much of the credit.
When he’s under siege, everybody notices the blockers. Miami QB Malik Willis spent too much of Week 1 in the second category, which put the spotlight squarely on the men up front.
Pro Football Focus’ grades told the story piece by piece. Left tackle Patrick Paul kept building on his reputation as a strong pass blocker, posting a 76.4 pass block grade even while giving up a sack and three hurries. He was also better in the run game, where he finished with a 64.6 grade.
Next to him, left guard Kadyn Proctor, the headliner of Miami’s draft class, turned in a solid first outing. He earned a 63.4 pass block grade and a 79.0 run block grade, a strong debut for a player the Dolphins clearly expect to matter right away.
Center Aaron Brewer also did his part in protection, landing a 79.2 pass blocking grade. The run game was a different story, though, as he checked in at 49.9 there. Still, the left side through the middle held up better than expected.
The right side was where things got messy.
Jonah Savaiinaea, who had already been through plenty of scrutiny after one of the worst rookie seasons in PFF history, was hoping his move back to right guard would spark a reset. He looked better in preseason action, but Week 1 brought a rough step backward: a 38.2 pass block grade and a 50.9 run block grade.
Austin Jackson had the toughest day of all. His 26.9 pass block grade stood out for all the wrong reasons, and he added a 60.2 run block grade.
PFF charged him with four hurries and a sack allowed. With performances like that, his future in Miami looks increasingly shaky.
Even so, there’s a broader point here: this is a team still being built. The Dolphins’ offensive line is not finished, but it isn’t without hope either. Proctor’s first game was a positive sign, and Paul’s continued growth matters too.
Brewer, who signed an extension this offseason, looks like part of the long-term answer. Proctor and Paul should be in that conversation as well. The big question is what happens on the right side, and whether Savaiinaea can steady himself after such a rough opener.
If Miami can reach 2027 with four settled offensive linemen, that would be a major step forward for a rebuild that still has a lot of moving parts. The roster is incomplete, and the wins may be hard to find this season, but the foundation along the line may actually be starting to take shape.
And it’s too early to bury Willis after one game. If Miami’s 2027 quarterback ends up being Willis or a highly drafted rookie, having a sturdier line in place would make life a lot easier.
For now, the Dolphins can at least say Week 1 offered a little more promise than panic.
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Coach Jeff Hafley said Johnson needs to clean up the details, but he also praised the way the rookie has approached the setback. Teammate Dante Trader has tried to keep the message simple: take the game, learn from it and move on. The next stretch will show how quickly Johnson can respond, with more tests coming against a run of opponents that will keep him under the microscope. [Read more 🡒]