Dolphins GM Chris Grier expressed support for Austin Jackson receiving another chance at right tackle, but after the former first-rounder played in two games last season, it makes sense for the team to explore insurance options. One potential veteran addition visited Monday.
Cameron Fleming met with the Dolphins today, Field Yates of ESPN.com tweets. Fleming began last season as the Broncos’ starting right tackle and saw extensive playing time during what became an injury-prone season for Denver’s offensive line. A 61-game starter, Fleming profiles as one of the top tackle options still left on the market.
Although the Dolphins met with the well-traveled blocker, KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson points to this being a due-diligence mission. No deal is imminent, Wilson tweets. This makes sense. The Dolphins will be connected to right tackle options in the draft, given their issues at the position last season, and Fleming could reside as a fallback plan — depending on how the AFC East team proceeds this week. The Dolphins do not pick until No. 51.
Fleming, 30, joins George Fant, Cameron Erving and 2022 Broncos teammate Billy Turner as top right-side options available. Longtime Dolphin Jesse Davis is also back on the market. So is former Patriots first-rounder Isaiah Wynn, who fared much better at left tackle prior to his contract-year position switch. Marcus Cannon, Dennis Kelly and 2022 Dolphins emergency option Brandon Shell are also unsigned.
The Broncos were planning to hold a Turner-Tom Compton training camp competition, but injuries to both moved Fleming into one of the NFL’s most unstable spots. Fleming became the 10th Broncos Week 1 right tackle in 10 years. He started 15 games — at both right and left tackle — for Denver last season and was a Broncos first-stringer four times in 2021. A 2014 fourth-round pick, Fleming has mostly been a swing tackle. But the Giants did use him as a 16-game starter in 2020. Fleming also spent time with the Patriots, starting 20 games from 2014-17, and Cowboys. Fleming also started two Pats playoff games in 2017, including Super Bowl LII.
Jackson is going into what could well be a contract year. The Dolphins have until May 2 to pick up his fifth-year option. His ankle injury led to Shell becoming the team’s primary option, despite the former Jets and Seahawks blocker having signed during the season.