The Miami Dolphins need a healthy year from Austin Jackson, or the offensive line could be in big trouble.
The Miami Dolphins have the makings of what could be a special offensive line. Left tackle Patrick Paul and center Aaron Brewer symbolize the types of players that the team needs to lead and model the unit after.
Rookie Kadyn Proctor figures to be a big addition in his size and playmaking ability, but it's unfair to say he will be solid without having taken a snap in the NFL. Right guard Jonah Savaiinaea could bounce back by moving to a spot he played in college, but the line truly hinges on the health of Austin Jackson.
When Jackson is on the field, he has shown he can operate like one of the best tackles in the game. The issue he has not been able to do so. From 2024 to 2025, the lineman only played in 14 total games.
This is a far cry from 2023, when he appeared in and started 16 games.
Jackson not being healthy in 2026 could have a major ripple effect on what the Dolphins are trying to do on their line.
Proctor was brought in to potentially be Jackson's replacement, but Miami is aiming to place him in the left guard position instead. This would give the team two bullies on the left side in Paul and the rookie, and the pair could form a tandem that not only protects Malik Willis' blindside but also opens run lanes in a major way for De'Von Achane.
There is likely to be a major focus on the run game due to the unknown nature of how Willis will operate in this offense and as a full-fledged starter, and how the offense will operate with limited weaponry.
Now, that is not to say that the run game should be the focus, because defenses can stack the box and just prevent Achane from rifling off big runs. He does have the skill set to make something out of nothing, but the Dolphins cannot become one-dimensional.
This is why the left side of the line is so important. If Jackson is not healthy, this might force the team's hand and put Savaiinaea back to a spot where he was the worst-rated in 2025.
It would be presumed that Jackson being out would lead Proctor to take the right tackle spot instead. This is not the ideal situation for the team, as the structure of the line has seemingly been decided on.
There is a chance that things can change rapidly due to injury or how the line melds together, but general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan, head coach Jeff Hafley, and players on the line have spoken about the line thus far.
More recently, Paul spoke about the growth he has seen with Savaiinaea in Year 2, and that could be attributed to the fact that he is back in a spot where he is most comfortable.
The Dolphins want the types of players that can be versatile, which is why they drafted Proctor, but also building a line that makes sense and puts players in the best possible spots to succeed matters as well.
Miami's line play needs to improve, which was ranked 29th in 2025 per ProFootballFocus. The two weak links were Savaiinaea and Cole Strange.
Strange is now on another team, and Savaiinaea is at the right guard position. With his placement also being dependent on Jackson being healthy, a ripple in the plan could undo what is being built.
The Dolphins line will not live or die on Jackson, but his inability to stay on the field may ruin what could be the best line the team has had in recent memory.
