Dolphins fans know all too well the rollercoaster ride of watching their offensive line over the last decade. Despite some standout picks, Miami hasn’t quite hit the jackpot consistently.
Chris Grier has had his moments, drafting stars like Laremy Tunsil, who was traded for a treasure trove of picks, and Robert Hunt, who left in free agency. Patrick Paul looks promising as a long-term solution, but not every pick has been a home run.
While Grier nailed some selections, others like Michael Deiter and Liam Eichenberg haven’t panned out. Jonah Savaiinaea is still early in his journey, so the jury's out on him. Austin Jackson is a mixed bag, neither excelling nor floundering, so we'll call it a wash.
Enter Drew Shelton, a name surfacing in draft discussions thanks to NFL Draft guru Tony Pauline. The Penn State tackle, a former three-sport athlete, brings intriguing size and athleticism but needs some polish. He recently caught the Dolphins’ eye at Penn State's Pro Day and might have a workout lined up.
Standing at 6'5" and weighing 313 pounds, Shelton turned heads at the NFL Combine. His Relative Athletic Score (RAS) of 8.49 ranks him among the top offensive tackle prospects over nearly four decades. His explosiveness, showcased in his broad jump (9'4") and vertical leap (31"), is elite.
On the field, Shelton’s shown potential. In 2025, he started 12 games for the Nittany Lions, earning a respectable 70.6 PFF grade. He allowed just one sack on 356 pass-block snaps, a notable improvement from the previous year.
Lance Zierlein of NFL.com highlights Shelton’s athletic prowess and fluidity, thanks to his basketball background. However, he notes that Shelton needs to build strength to better sustain blocks and anchor against powerful pass rushers. His fit for an outside zone scheme aligns perfectly with the Dolphins’ offensive plans.
This could be a win-win for Miami. With Patrick Paul and the injury-prone Austin Jackson slated as starters, Shelton can develop his skills and strength without immediate pressure. If Jon-Eric Sullivan’s history in Green Bay is any indication, the Dolphins might be onto something special with Shelton.