The Dolphins got a rough reminder on Saturday of how thin their offensive line depth really is. Once the backups were on the field against the Giants, Miami’s offense struggled badly and never got into any kind of rhythm, running fewer than 40 plays for the entire game.
That kind of outing makes it tough to evaluate anyone else on the roster. Quarterbacks, tight ends, and wide receivers all get dragged into the mess when the line can’t hold up, and that was clearly part of the issue.
So when the Bengals released veteran guard/tackle Cody Ford on Monday, Miami suddenly had a potential answer sitting right in front of it.
Ford has spent time in the AFC East before. Buffalo took him in the second round, and he opened his career there with three seasons up north. Injuries were a constant problem, limiting him to 29 starts in 38 games with the Bills.
After that came a one-year stop in Arizona, another season interrupted by injuries and six missed games. Ford then moved on to Cincinnati, where he spent three seasons but started only 10 of 50 games.
For the Dolphins, the appeal is obvious enough. They need help, and Charlie Heck doesn’t look like a real solution as a backup. Ford isn’t some clean fix, but he has experience at both guard and tackle, which is exactly the kind of flexibility Miami wants on its offensive line.
The team’s addition of Caedan Wallace already signaled that it knows the depth chart needs work. Ford would fit that same effort to patch things up. He may not be perfect, but it’s fair to ask whether he can be any worse than Heck or some of the other bodies currently filling out the roster.
A waiver claim would make sense, especially with Ford carrying a contract worth less than $2 million. Miami could bring him in, give him a look over the next week, and decide before the final roster cuts.
The Dolphins are set to face the Falcons on Friday night, and they need to have their roster decisions in place by August 30. With the way the line has played through the first two preseason games, there’s little reason not to at least see what Ford can offer.
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Dolphins Suddenly Have A Week 1 D-Line Problem
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For a defense that wants to be sturdy up front from the start, that kind of uncertainty can ripple quickly through the rotation. If Grant remains sidelined, it opens the door for other linemen to climb the depth chart and make a case for more snaps, turning a temporary absence into a chance for somebody else to carve out an early role. [Read more 🡒]
Anthony Richardson Decision Could Change Colts Plans Faster Than Expected
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If Riley Leonard winds up securing the backup job behind Daniel Jones, the Colts could be pushed into a faster decision on Richardson than expected. Steve Ruiz of FOX NFL is already floating the idea that teams such as the Dolphins, Browns and Falcons should be ready to explore a trade, which only adds to the intrigue around a quarterback with starting experience, obvious upside and a future that may not stay quiet for long. [Read more 🡒]