Detroit Lions: 3 perfect landing spots for Larry Warford
By Bob Heyrman
Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins should consider signing the former Detroit Lions third-round draft choice to help protect their future investment, and top five 2020 draft pick Tua Tagovailoa.
The Dolphins used two of their many draft picks on their offensive line landing Austin Jackson and Robert Hunt in consecutive rounds. The Dolphins also spent some money in free agency on former New England Patriot Ted Karras, who can play either guard or center but is more valuable as a backup, not a starter.
The organization also signed Ereck Flowers, who struggled mightily as a tackle at the NFL level but rejuvenated his career as a guard. Again, Flowers is better suited as a utility lineman rather than an every-week starter in the NFL. Warford immediately strengthens the offensive line and is someone the Dolphins need to consider signing. Miami, under Chan Gainey, likes to use a power run scheme, and that’s precisely what Warford provides in the run game.
Cincinnati Bengals
Similar to the Miami Dolphins, the Bengals recently drafted their franchise quarterback of the future in Joe Burrow. After spending the first overall pick on the talented Burrow, the Bengals need to focus on protecting their young quarterback, so his career doesn’t take a similar route to David Carr.
The Bengals can’t afford to run young Burrow out behind a lackluster offensive line and have him running for his life every play. Not to mention, the compiling hits take their toll on a young quarterback, just ask Andrew Luck.
The Bengals spent their first-round pick in 2019 on a starting left tackle, Jonah Willams, but he was sidelined all season due to injury. The Bengals offensive line was simply atrocious last season, and Warford could walk in and be the teams’ top lineman immediately.
Cincinnati used a combination of rookie Michael Jordan, Billy Price, and Xavier Su’a-Filo last season as starters and all suffered his fair share of ups and downs, mostly downs. Cincinnati needs to anti up and pay Larry Warford.