Each off -season move is examined after the disappointing 2024 campaign of the Miami Dolphins.
Given Miami’s need for offensive line players and a limited salary ceiling space, Re-Signaler’s decision Liam Eichenberg in free agency raised eyebrows. The old second round choice had trouble as a full -time leaving, but coach Mike McDaniel thinks he has more to offer the franchise.
“Liam has taken bullets and losses, but a great teammate has added value, and we are happy to have it on the dolphins,” McDaniel said on Mcdaniel. “And for him to be a starter, he should be his best version of himself that he has ever been.”
Eichenberg, 27, was signed with dolphins on a one -year contract after having recorded more than 650 snaps in four positions in his four seasons with Miami. Last season, he granted two bags and committed nine penalties more than 1,036 snaps to the right guard.
The dolphins exchanged a choice of third round to climb and select Eichenberg with the 42nd choice of the recovery of the NFL 2021. He fought with 10 penalties and nine bags as a left tackle recruited before going to the left guard, according to Pro Football Focus, and he granted two bags and was penalized five times in 2022.
Eichenberg started 2023 as a backup but filled due to injuries, saving 653 clicks in the center, 146 in the right guard and 77 at the left guard. He was the starter of Miami’s opening day at the right guard in 2024 and was available for 17 games, exceeding 1,000 snaps for the first time since his recruit year.
“He really did certain things for the offensive line unit that few players would do in terms of sacrifice, position switch and tension,” said McDaniel.
Eichenberg joins James Daniels as the best Miami guards under contract, but McDaniel added that he felt that “the free agency has become a little longer” entering its fourth offseason as a chief trainer. Miami is around $ 16.5 million in the available ceiling space, and the deductible has 10 choices in the draft.
“Liam Eichenberg is well aware that, through the various avenues of the remaining free and free project, that if Liam Eichenberg begins next year, he should be the best player he has ever been,” said McDaniel. “But we see an opportunity right in front of us to improve. And it will be the competition. And I think Liam is very comfortable with the fact.”
Dolphins need another departure caliber goalkeeper, but much more is necessary to stay competitive in a heavy injury league. According to the rich Hribar of Sharp Football, only three teams had the most used offensive line exceeding 70% of snaps in 2024. Only 14 teams had an offensive line combination exceeding 40% of snaps – dolphins were 35.7%.
While Eichenberg is currently presented in offensive line plans, the maneuver of the off -season is incomplete. Despite the difficulties as a full -time starter, availability prevails when talent is not available.
On October 22, 2023, Williams was forced to leave the match at Miami’s prime time against the Eagles. Eichenberg intervened and granted only one pressure on 49 snaps in the center in a rough environment of Philadelphia on Sunday evening.
Later that year that year, Williams suffered an ACL torn by the end of the season on December 14. Eichenberg intervened and did not allow a bag more than 66 games. Although a piece of useful depth, he made three bags and eight pressure in the next five games.
Dolphins are not positioned to spend large on several lines during the offseason, and taking into account the ceiling constraints, Eichenberg meets a need. While injuries forcing him in programming are an imminent concern, as a safeguard, he is the kind of insurance Miami needs for a 17 -game marathon.
