The Miami Dolphins are just three weeks shy of the start of NFL free agency, and Terron Armstead still hasn’t announced his plans for 2024 (at least publicly).
Armstead has been coy this offseason about whether he wants to return for a 12th NFL season. But general manager Chris Grier and his staff presumably have Plans A, B, and C in place regarding the left tackle position.
Will Terron Armstead Be Back With the Miami Dolphins in 2024?
Two things Grier must iron out before free agency begins:
- Is Armstead retiring?
- Is he open to taking a pay cut?
The Dolphins are more than $50 million over the cap, and Armstead’s $14.3 million in cash owed is 12th most among left tackles.
Considering Armstead’s injury history — he has appeared in just 25 of a possible 36 games since signing a five-year, $75 million contract with Miami before the 2022 season — the Dolphins haven’t gotten good value so far, and there’s no reason to believe that value will improve as he continues to age.
What’s more, Armstead has a $20.2 million cap figure in 2024, which takes up more than 8% of the team’s total budget. Put another way, all options should be on the table for the Dolphins this spring — including finding a replacement for Armstead in free agency.
All rankings and commentary are courtesy of PFN NFL analyst Dallas Robinson, who compiled PFN’s Top 100 list.
Potential Miami Dolphins Offensive Tackle Targets in Free Agency
Mike Onwenu | New England Patriots
- Age: 26
- Seasons: 4
- Last contract: Four years, $6.8 million ($1.7 million AAV)
- Spotrac Estimated Market Value: Four years, $54.6 million ($13.6 million AAV)
- PFN Top 100 Overall Ranking: 11
- Position Ranking: 1
Robinson’s Take: Mike Onwenu undertook a positional change in 2023. After splitting his time all across the offensive line during his first two NFL campaigns and then playing exclusively right guard in 2022, Onwenu spent almost every snap at right tackle this past season. He’s only 26, and linemen typically age well, so Onwenu might be in for a surprisingly costly contract.
Jonah Williams | Cincinnati Bengals
- Age: 26
- Seasons: 5
- Last contract: Five years, $30.3 million ($6.1 million AAV)
- Spotrac Estimated Market Value: Four years, $43.4 million ($10.9 million AAV)
- Overall Ranking: 15
- Position Ranking: 2
Robinson’s Take: Jonah Williams has never been a Pro Bowler or an All-Pro. But he’s a former first-round pick who can play a reliable left or right tackle.
Since missing his rookie year and six games of the 2020 campaign, Williams has played every offensive snap for the Bengals. That sort of option is rarely available on the free agent market, and Williams might be targeting $15 million per year.
Tyron Smith | Dallas Cowboys
- Age: 33
- Seasons: 13
- Last contract: 10 years, $108.7 million ($10.9 million AAV)
- Spotrac Estimated Market Value: One year, $7.4 million ($7.4 million AAV)
- Overall Ranking: 29
- Position Ranking: 3
Robinson’s Take: Tyron Smith is 33 years old and hasn’t completed a full slate since 2015. That’s the bad news.
The good news is that Smith is still incredibly effective whenever he’s on the field, especially as a pass blocker. He managed to suit up for 13 games in 2023, his highest total since 2019. Smith should have options around the league if the Cowboys proceed with Tyler Smith at left tackle.
Mekhi Becton | New York Jets
- Age: 24
- Seasons: 4
- Last contract: Four years, $18.4 million ($4.6 million AAV)
- Spotrac Estimated Market Value: Three years, $38.9 million ($13 million AAV)
- Overall Ranking: 31
- Position Ranking: 4
Robinson’s Take: After injuries limited him to just one game from 2020 to 2021, Mekhi Becton finally managed to stay healthy for 16 games this past season. He missed one contest and part of another after spraining his ankle, but any intrigued team has to be encouraged by Becton’s stretch of availability in 2023. As long as he stays in shape, Becton has all the tools to be a high-end left tackle.
Trent Brown | New England Patriots
- Age: 30
- Seasons: 9
- Last contract: Two years, $17.1 million ($8.6 million AAV)
- Overall Ranking: 36
- Position Ranking: 5
Robinson’s Take: Trent Brown struggled to maintain consistency with the Patriots last season and ultimately made only eight starts. He’s 31 years old and has dealt with nagging injury issues, but 6-foot-8, 307-pound dancing bears don’t come around very often.
Teams may be willing to live with Brown’s up-and-down nature, if only because competent offensive tackles are tough to locate.
Donovan Smith | Kansas City Chiefs
- Age: 30
- Seasons: 9
- Last contract: One year, $2.7 million ($2.7 million AAV)
- Overall Ranking: 60
- Position Ranking: 6
Robinson’s Take: After being flagged for 12 penalties in 2022 (second-most among offensive linemen), Donovan Smith committed just five accepted fouls this past season.
MORE: Which Kansas City Chiefs Players Are Among the Top 100 Available Free Agents?
Injuries were a problem in both years, but Smith is still just 30 years old. NFL teams always need competent offensive tackles. Even if Smith has to accept a one-year deal for 2024, another multi-season pact could still be in his future.
Yosh Nijman | Green Bay Packers
- Age: 28
- Seasons: 4
- Last contract: One year, $4.3 million ($4.3 million AAV)
- Overall Ranking: 61
- Position Ranking: 7
Robinson’s Take: Yosh Nijman played just 231 snaps in 2023 after starting 13 games for the Packers a year ago. However, he’s displayed competence at both tackle spots.
In an OL-starved NFL, that’s an incredibly valuable skill. Green Bay has settled on Rasheed Walker and Zach Tom as its OTs, but Nijman should grab a starting job elsewhere.
George Fant | Houston Texans
- Age: 31
- Seasons: 8
- Last contract: One year, $4 million ($4 million AAV)
- Overall Ranking: 74
- Position Ranking: 8
Robinson’s Take: George Fant was a prime example of the types of experienced free agents NFL teams can often find on the cheap. Houston didn’t sign Fant until July and only gave him $3 million. But the 31-year-old ended up starting 13 games and played over 900 snaps at a league-average level.
Fant could do the same thing for any number of teams in 2024, and he probably deserves a raise.
Jermaine Eluemunor | Las Vegas Raiders
- Age: 29
- Seasons: 7
- Last contract: One year, $3 million ($3 million AAV)
- Overall Ranking: 76
- Position Ranking: 9
Robinson’s Take: Jermaine Eluemunor has shined over the past two seasons with the Raiders, starting 31 games at right tackle while offering above-average results.
MORE: 2024 NFL Free Agents by Position
He didn’t receive much interest as a free agent last offseason, ultimately re-signing in Vegas for just $3 million. Perhaps Eluemunor will garner more appealing offers around the league after he backed up his performance in 2023.
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