MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — If the Miami Dolphins‘ offensive line is ultimately as good as the team’s decision-makers expect it to be this season, then it means tackle Terron Armstead not only stays healthy, but plays some of the best football of his career.
Since signing with the Dolphins in 2022, Armstead has missed 11 of a possible 34 regular-season games due to injury. His health concerns were a big reason why the Dolphins convinced him to take a pay cut this offseason.
But Armstead’s otherworldly performance — particularly in pass protection — when we was on the field was a big reason why the Dolphins were eager to have him back in 2024.
Miami Dolphins OT Terron Armstead Is Still Really Good
Armstead in 2023 allowed just one sack and six pressures in 317 pass-blocking snaps, per Pro Football Focus.
His pressure rate (1.89%) was microscopic.
It was by far the lowest of any NFL tackle with 300 or more pass-blocking snaps — Detroit’s Penei Sewell was a distant second at 2.97% — and it was the fourth-lowest of any offensive lineman, regardless of position.
So how does that project to 2024, with Armstead now 33 years old?
Quite favorably, based on comments this week by Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel.
“Terron Armstead is feeling more confident in his game than he ever has in his career,” McDaniel said.
“You’re talking about one of those guys, one of those super-athletes that is the fastest offensive lineman ever at the Combine, and where he’s at in his game, feeling more confident in playing football than he ever has before in his career. … There’s a group of people diligently working at their craft, excited to make a name for themselves under the current version of who they are in 2024.”
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McDaniel needs Armstead to thrive in 2024, which is why he sat his big left tackle for the three preseason games and kept him out of any risky practice reps.
Armstead is probably the freshest he’s ever been to start a season.
“I feel great,” he told reporters Thursday.
Armstead added that he’s “still getting ready, still working some technique things. It’s always just a constant progression. That’s really the beauty of professional sports, like you’ve never made it.
“So even if I took more reps, I still got things to work on, still got to keep polishing, keep working. That’s my approach. That’s my mindset, so I’m going to continue to do that, and I’ll be ready for the first game.”
And, the Dolphins hope, at least 16 more after that.