Overview of the OG Position

The pre-OTA, pre-camp, starting OG's are well known:

LG - Dallas Thomas, 6'5, 315 - Most of us know that he's struggled in virtually all the action he's been involved with. He repeatedly has been blown up physically, lacking a strong base to maintain position and getting physically manhandled.

RG - Billy Turner, 6'5, 315 - Turner was an enticing small school prospect coming in last year. He was an aggressive LT in college with a strong punch. But, did not take over a starting spot last year, in spite of a myriad of injuries. Part of this related to a toe injury that slowed him down. It is otherwise difficult to know why he did not get in much action. Perhaps the injury put him behind.

Dennis Hickey noted:

This is good to hear, but, it's also exactly what you would expect a wishful thinking GM to say. Both need to become bigger and more physical, imo.

I hold out more hope for Turner at this point but I also think he's a question-mark having never played RG or started on the right side. Given that Dallas Thomas has moved all over the map, it's a bit odd that Turner isn't slotted at LG given that he played LT in college.

Others:

Jamil Douglas, 6'4, 304 - Douglas has been on the radar as the lone O-lineman selected in the draft (4th round). Douglas showed strength at the Combine but there's not much to see of him in real 'tape'. Given the weakness of Thomas, he has been viewed as a potential starter at LG. However, he's pretty light at 304 and is a 4th round draft pick - and it's often the case that 4th round O-linemen are little more than journeymen (see one below).

And, what we do see of him indicates he will need to really improve his fundamentals if he wants to seriously compete and upgrade the OG spot (which would be fantastic). Nevertheless, we need to remember he's a 4th round pick.

Jacques McClendon, 6'3, 324 - McClendon is another UT OL prospect to go with Thomas and James. He was a 4th round pick of the Colts in 2010. He came out at 308 lbs. If you think Douglas is strong, this guy is a beast.

NFL Draft Scout:

McClendon had 37 reps at his pro day. He's got to be even stronger now. No idea how long those arms are (re: bench).

NFL.Com

There are many starting offensive linemen in this league who took 3-4-5 years to develop and bounced around from team to team before finding a place (33 year old Evan Mathis, the player many here have wanted the Dolphins to land, had 22 starts his first six seasons, on three different teams, before settling in as a starter in Philadelphia in his 7th season at age 29). At 27, McClendon is arguably coming into his peak physically and mentally. He has been in the league 4 seasons and has 5 starts (all at Jacksonville).

I actually have some hope for this player. It will be interesting to see if he competes at LG with former teammate Thomas or RG (his one start last year was RG).

[video]http://www.miamidolphins.com/multimedia/videos/Getting-To-Know-New-OL-Jacques-McClendon/2ebf122f-c59e-4496-93b6-6369755851d7[/video]

Dionte Savage, 6'4, 343 - Mammoth OG UDFA prospect. Will take some time to develop and needs added strength (23 reps) and some weight loss (training camp could be a bear for this kid at 340 lbs). He could, however, become a good player down the road if he works hard enough. He certainly has the physical potential.

Good friends with Damien Williams (both played at Arizona Western and Oklahoma). He was a JUCO AA.

Michael, Liedtke, 6'4, 305 - Another UDFA. Small school prospect (Ill. St.) and a developmental type. He started 3 seasons, two at LG, so he's pretty familiar with the position. But, still, don't expect much out of him this season, imo.

J.D. Walton, 6'3, 305 - Listed at C, and likely just a backup for Pouncey. Could see spot action at OG but not a candidate, imo.

However, with Same Brenner also in the mix as a versatile G-C backup, it could be that Walton is a precautionary signing in case Miami is once again forced to shift Pouncey to OG in an emergency. That would be a worst case scenario.

Donald Hawkins, 6'4, 310 - came in as an OT out of Texas in 2014. Bounced around last year, signed from Dallas and is listed as OG on NFL.Com. Another project.

There could be another veteran acquisition. Several still hold out hope for Evan Mathis. That would be a solid addition and he would certainly start. However, he's a long shot at this point. But, though Mathis would start for us, he'd be costly given the CAP situation (there is space available this year but it would lessen the rollover to next year) although he would likely be a one-year player until others develop.

I actually think McClendon may have as good a shot as any at becoming a solid starter (Better yet, put Turner at LG and let Thomas and McClendon compete at RG). If he can hold up in pass-pro, he has the potential to be better a run blocker than the two penciled in as starters.

And, there is the slim, outside chance that someone will surprise out of nowhere. But, we'll have to hope for these question-marks to develop fast.

At this point, it's just hope and wishful thinking - no real certainties.