The Miami Dolphins addressed a critical need early in the draft, taking offensive guard Jonah Savaiinaea with the 37th overall pick.
Yet, like most of this yearâs second-round picks, the University of Arizona product remains unsigned.
With Miamiâs rookies slated to report to training camp on Tuesday, the 6-foot-4, 324-pound Savaiinaea is officially at risk of falling behind. Thatâs certainly not ideal for the Dolphins, who are trying to protect oft-injured quarterback Tua Tagovailoa by whatever means necessary.
Itâs why one NFL writer, Kyle Crabbs of A to Z Sports, considers the Dolphins one of three teams under the most pressure to get a deal done with their recent draft pick.
âTagovailoaâs health is all the more reason for Miami to feel the pressure to get this group right,â Crabbs said. âAnd that means Savaiinaea, who is one-half of the teamâs offensive guard overhaul with veteran James Daniels, needs to be ready to roll when the season starts.
âMissing time with an official holdout over a few million dollars off a rookie contract isnât the hill this team should be willing to die on relative to the opportunity cost of grooming Jonah to be an asset up front.â
Why Does Jonah Savaiinaea Remain Unsigned?
As of Monday, 30 of the 32 second-round picks have not signed their rookie deals. The only two exceptions â Texans wide receiver Jayden Higgins and Browns linebacker Carson Schwesigner â received fully guaranteed contracts.
Whenever he signs, Savaiinaea, 21, will receive a four-year deal worth $11.3 million ($4.9 signing bonus).
The Dolphins traded up to take Savaiinaea, a three-year starter in college. He showcased impressive versatility with the Wildcats, making 16 starts at right tackle, 15 at right guard and five at left tackle.
Bleacher Reportâs Brandon Thorn said of Savaiinaea in his pre-draft scouting report: âSavaiinaea is a solid overall run blocker using his wide-bodied frame, sound footwork and good spatial awareness to hit his aiming points with jolt on zone combinations, overtakes on and backside cut-offs with enough burst to line up targets as a puller in Arizonaâs pin-pull series.â
How is the Dolphins’ Offensive Line Shaping Up?
Savaiinaea is projected to slot in at guard for the Dolphins, who have made shoring up the offensive line a priority.
The Dolphins brought in former Steelers guard Daniels on a three-year, $24 million deal and have right tackle Austin Jackson returning from a season-ending knee injury. Pro Bowl left tackle Terron Armstead announced his retirement in April, walking away from the remaining two years on his contract.
Tagovailoa was sacked 21 times in 11 games last season and dealt with more concussion issues. The Dolphins went 8-9 and missed the playoffs.
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