Veteran O-Lineman Makes Pitch to Join Dolphins
Justin Pugh is looking for a contending team that will give him an opportunity to compete for a starting spot, and the former Arizona Cardinals starting guard used social media to shoot his shot at the Miami Dolphins during the NFL draft.
Pugh, a 10-year veteran who has started 119 of the 120 games he’s played in the NFL, responded to a tweet gauging his interest in the Dolphins, and playing in warm weather by making an offer.
That came after Pugh commented on the Atlanta Falcons selection of tackle Matthew Bergeron in the second round of the 2023 draft by asking the Falcons if they needed a guard so he could play with his fellow Syracuse alum.
“If Mr. Ross will also let me come work for him on my off days I’m in. @MiamiDolphins deal?,” Pugh wrote, referring to team owner Steve Ross, who is a real estate mogul. This is where we point out that Pugh's Twitter bio includes not only "NFL Player" but also "Real Estate Investor."
From a football perspective, the Dolphins decision-makers continue to point out that the free agent process hasn’t concluded, hinting that they might add a veteran offensive lineman or two after the second day of last week’s draft.
Miami could get involved in the second round of free agency once the $13.6 million in cap space cornerback Byron Jones’ release creates becomes available June 1. The Dolphins presently have less than $3 million available in cap space, and that’s before signing the team’s four 2023 draftees.
The Dolphins brought veteran offensive lineman Cam Fleming in for a visit the week before the draft, and have had exploratory conversations with the agents for a number of veteran offensive linemen, and that includes Pugh.
THE POSITIVES OF A POTENTIAL PUGH PURSUIT
Pugh, who will turn 33 in August, has spent most of his career playing guard. He spent the past four seasons playing left guard specifically, which is a position of concern considering Liam Eichenberg's struggles last season. But Pugh began his NFL career as a right tackle with the New York Giants.
He only played in five games last season before suffering an ACL injury to his right knee from which he's presently rehabbing.
According to a league source, he’ll be medically cleared to participate in training camp, and intends to continue playing.
Even though the Dolphins already added an interior lineman in Dan Feeney, who signed a one-year deal worth $3.2 million, adding Pugh could provide additional position flexibility because of his ability to play guard and tackle.
That type of player is critically important when it comes to helping an offensive line overcome injuries during the season.
Austin Jackson, Eichenberg and Robert Hunt have a similar skill set, and that type of position flexibility.
Counting the four undrafted rookie offensive linemen — San Diego State center Alama Uluave, Michigan State tackle Jarrett Horst, South Dakota tackle Alex Jensen and University of Miami offensive lineman D.J. Scaife — who officially will be signed later this month, the Dolphins will have 16 offensive linemen available when the team begins its OTAs later this month.
The roster presently is full because of the 18 undrafted rookies expected to be signed, so the Dolphins would have to cut a player to add anyone new to the roster.
