Kelly: Can Dolphins Trust Liam Eichenberg at Guard Again?

Liam Eichenberg will makes his 31st NFL start for the Miami Dolphins, and he'll have done it at all five offensive line positions

It's time for another ride on the Eichenberg Express.

Only time will tell where this stint leaning on Liam Eichenberg, the Miami Dolphins' underwhelming 2021 second-round pick, as a starting offensive guard will take us.

But based on Eichenberg's struggles this season - whether it's at center or guard - it's pretty safe to expect a bumpy ride.

"This is the final one, man," Eichenberg said, referring to the fact he'll start Sunday's game against the Las Vegas Raiders at right guard.

That means Eichenberg will have started an NFL game at all five spots on the Dolphins offensive line during his underwhelming three seasons.

Problem is, he's struggled at all of them.

At this point it's safe to put Eichenberg in the reserve/backup/journeyman category if he struggles filling in for Robert Hunt, who will miss his second game this season because of a right hamstring injury.

"This is the last option. This is the last one," Eichenberg said about the right guard tryout, which could be a game or two because Miami wants Hunt to be full healthy for the closing season stretch.

Running out of guard options

The Dolphins don't have many options when it comes to replacement for Hunt because Robert Jones is also nursing a knee injury he suffered in Miami's loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.

Lester Cotton is filling in as the left guard, starting his third game of the season next to Terron Armstead, and Eichenberg will man the right guard spot because he feels "strong," there, even though he started 10 games at left guard last season.

Eichenberg said the four games he started at center as Connor Williams' replacement this season helped him develop better footwork and technique, and he believes the transition is easiest at right guard because of his center work.

"It allows me to understand space. Give me more confidence in closer spaces. Similar footwork, and similar hands. Timing is a little bit off," said Eichenberg, who allowed two sacks this season, and both came against the Bills, which was his first start at center. "For me, having those reps at center, and going to right guard will help me.

Growth was happening at center

"I thought I got a lot better at center. Injuries happen and I'm forced to kick out," said Eichenberg, a former Notre Dame standout for whom the Dolphins traded away a 2022 third-round pick for the right to move up to acquire.

Eichenberg was viewed as the safest offensive line prospect in that 2021 NFL draft, but the problem is he's been more troublesome than solid as an NFL starter.

"Connor is back, and I'm happy he's back. I'm trying to take it day by day," Eichenberg said. "I'm going to work as hard as I can to be the best player I can at wherever I'm at. At the end of the day I just got to keep believing and improving."

Considering Lamm and Smith are natural tackles, that transition inside — where they will have to engage 300-pounders head up snap after snap, and handle twists and stunts — might be a tough adjustment. So Eichenberg is Miami's best option, and this might be his last shot at proving he's a capable starter. 

"Ultimately the greatest thing about Liam is that he really works at any issue that occurs. He wants to get better, and he works as hard as anybody to get it right," offensive coordinator Frank Smith said. "Now in the middle of the season, this is where hopefully you start seeing the growth from all of that work that started in April. All the transitions, the in-season reps, and then now the back half of the season, I’m really excited to see him and the rest of the guys play up front.”

All aboard the Eichenberg Express.

Better buckle in.