The Dolphins came within an eyelash of running out of offensive linemen last weekend.
The Vikings were willing to part with a talented, young guard at the trade deadline Tuesday. But in the end, Ezra Cleveland ended up getting traded to the Jacksonville Jaguars for a Day 3 draft pick, meaning the price was no more than a fourth-rounder.
Cleveland, 25, is the eighth-rated guard in the NFL, according to Pro Football Focus, which grades him one notch above Miami’s Rob Hunt. Cleveland is durable, having barely missed a snap the past three seasons. Although Cleveland has played only guard in the NFL, he was a tackle at Boise State and once said the difference between the two positions “isn’t that drastic.”
The Dolphins value versatility in their linemen as a matter of course, but it’s especially important now. The Dolphins have used 10 different men on the line — having to fill in at tackle, guard and center.
The fact that general manager Chris Grier opted to stand pat at this trade deadline is a statement about the roster on this 6-2 team. It also appears to reflect on left tackle Terron Armstead, who is working his way off injured reserve with multiple ailments and is on track to resume practicing in Germany this week, which would open his 21-day window for activation. It also appears to confirm that another starter, center Connor Williams, is on the brink of returning from a groin injury.
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