Outside of special teams, guards are among the least-discussed positions in the NFL.
Centers have their hands on the ball on every play. Offensive tackles protect the quarterback from opposing edge rushers. But guard? They mostly get lost while doing the dirty work in the trenches.
With that said, would the Dolphins draft a guard – namely Western Kentucky’s Forrest Lamp -- in the first round of next month's NFL draft? It is not out of the realm of possibility when you read the signs from the Miami Dolphins this offseason.
The Dolphins entered 2017 with two major holes following a successful 10-6 playoff season. The team needed two starting linebackers to help its 30th-ranked run defense and two starting guards following the trade of left tackle Branden Albert and the subsequent move from left guard in Year 2 for Laremy Tunsil.
The Dolphins made their biggest move in free agency at linebacker by signing veteran Lawrence Timmons to a two-year, $12 million contract. Timmons will pair with 2016 leading tackler Kiko Alonso to lead a revamped linebacking group. The Dolphins also (for now) kept outside linebacker Koa Misi on the roster in the event they can’t find another starter in free agency or the draft.
However, Miami didn’t do nearly as much to improve its guard position. The Dolphins re-signed Jermon Bushrod and signed Ted Larsen, who started eight games for the Chicago Bears last season. That’s not enough to feel comfortable.
Lamp played offensive tackle in college, but his build will move him inside to guard in the NFL. He has good feet, athleticism and is versatile. Lamp also could play offensive tackle in a pinch -- and position versatility is important in Miami.
The Dolphins are in a position where drafting a good guard prospect in the first round shouldn’t be frowned upon. They are drafting No. 22 overall and coming off a playoff season. This team doesn’t have to make another sexy pick at a skill position who may be a boom-or-bust prospect. The last time Miami did that was two years ago with receiver DeVante Parker, and the jury is still out on him.
Lamp would fill Miami’s biggest need post-free agency and provide the type of inside-trench play its running game and quarterback Ryan Tannehill need.