Dolphins need a tackle. Who should they target in NFL draft? Ranking 5 best options

The Dolphins should be set with starting offensive tackles Terron Armstead and Austin Jackson for the upcoming season.

But general manager Chris Grier must look further ahead.

The Dolphins could be set with backup offensive tackle Kendall Lamm, Kion Smith and Jack Driscoll for the upcoming season.

But Grier, well, you know.

Everyone knows Armstead may retire after this season. And everyone knows Armstead has missed time with myriad injuries in recent seasons.

The Dolphins don't have to select a pure tackle in Round 1.

They could select Troy Fautana of Washington, who can play guard and tackle, or Graham Barton of Duke, who can play center, guard or tackle.

Or, of course, they could select an edge rusher or defensive tackle or even wide receiver.

If Miami were to pass on an offensive tackle in the first round, they could circle back to Jared Morgan (Arizona), Kingsley Suamataia (BYU) or Roger Rosengarten (Washington) in Round 2.

There is a lot of offensive line depth in this draft.

Joe Alt of Notre Dame will be a Top 10 pick.

But Miami may very well be looking at one or two of the five players listed below if available when Pick 21 comes around on Thursday night.

We felt it was important to outline the strengths of these five first-round tackles:

Dolphins NFL draft tackle targets in Round 1:

Round 1, Pick 21: Olumuyiwa Fashanu, T, Penn St.

Fashanu probably won't make it to 21, but my gosh, if he did. Fashanu is a left tackle with big-time upside to succeed Armstead as soon as 2025 and provide insurance in 2024. Matt Miller of ESPN even comps Fashanu to Armstead! Olu has prototypical size, is powerful and competitive. Fashanu blocked for presumed first overall pick Caleb Williams in high school. If Fashanu were to slip it would be because he's not perceived as a finished product and can add strength. Some parts of Fashanu's scouting remind us of Austin Jackson USC's report.

Round 1, Pick 21: Taliese Fuaga, T/G, Oregon St.

Fuaga has played right tackle but he should be able to make a conversion to left tackle or right or left guard in the NFL. He played both left tackle and guard in high school. Fuaga is massive and has familiarity with the zone-based scheme used by Miami. He's aggressive and has a good combination of size and balance. Fuaga has awareness and is a dominant run blocker. Scouts believe Fuaga has Pro Bowl potential.

Round 1, Pick 21: JC Latham, T, Alabama

Latham has played right tackle but he should be able to make the conversion to left tackle or guard in the NFL. He played left tackle in high school. Latham is 6-foot-6, 342 pounds and has said he would wrestle a grizzly bear. Our kind of guy, He's a bulldozer. He's physical. He's aggressive. He's a former defensive lineman. He has huge hands and is a powerful mauler.

Round 1, Pick 21: Tyler Guyton, T, Oklahoma

Guyton has played right tackle but should be able to make the conversion to left tackle or guard in the NFL. A former defensive lineman, Guyton has limited experience and a high ceiling. Guyton, 6-foot-8 with hoop history - is fluid and smooth and aware. Like Austin Jackson when he was coming out of college, Guyton will need to add strength and power. He'll work on his run blocking but projects as an elite pass blocker.

Round 1, Pick 21: Amarius Mims, T, Georgia

Mims is a massive - 6-foot-8, 340 pound - right tackle who may or may not be able to play left tackle in the NFL. Mims had some practice reps there at Georgia but not game reps there or at guard. Mims is a developmental prospect with only eight college starts. He also allowed no sacks and had no holds in those starts. Mimis has strong hands and pretty encouraging technique in pass block sets. He needs to refine run-blocking tool box.

Dolphins guard depth chart

Terron Armstead - Pro Bowler and stud, when healthy.

Austin Jackson - Reaching his potential now.

Kendall Lamm - Valuable backup left tackle.

Kion Smith - A worthwhile developmental prospect.

Jack Driscoll - A top backup at guard and tackle.

Ryan Hayes - Developmental prospect.

Dolphins NFL draft picks: List of selections in 2024

• Round 1, Pick 21

• Round 2, Pick 55

• Round 5, Pick 158

• Round 6, Pick 184 (from Chicago)

• Round 6, Pick 198

• Round 7, Pick 241

Joe Schad is a journalist covering the Miami Dolphins and the NFL at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at jschad@pbpost.com and follow him on Instagram and on X @schadjoe. Sign up for Joe's free weekly Dolphins Pulse Newsletter. Help support our work by subscribing today.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Dolphins 2024 mock draft: Ranking top tackle targets