The Miami Dolphins' undisputed No. 1 priority this offseason is to rebuild an offensive line that allowed a league-high 58 sacks in 2013 and was the center of an NFL investigation into the team's hostile locker room culture.
The Dolphins took the first step Tuesday when it signed veteran tackle Branden Albert to a five-year, $47 million deal to be the all-important left bookend to the line.
Now, the team is turning its attention to other free agents who could possibly fill its holes at left and right guard and right tackle.
The Dolphins have reached out to right tackle Zach Strief and expressed interest in setting up a visit, according to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald. The report states that Strief prefers a return to the New Orleans Saints, but the sides haven't come to terms and the 30-year old former guard is open to other options.
Guard Shelley Smith is planning aThursday evening visit with Miami after meeting with the New England Patriots earlier in the day. Smith has only started eight games over three seasons with the Houston Texans and St. Louis Rams, but played admirably in his limited time.
Other names on Miami's radar at guard include Daryn Colledge, Wade Smith and Evan Dietrich-Smith, with Jackson expecting the team to sign 'at least one' veteran guard.
Some of the options are uninspiring, but Miami would do well to even field an average offensive line in 2014. Plugging a couple experienced if not great lineman in around embattled Pro Bowl center Mike Pouncey and a couple rookies, as line is still expected to be a priority in the draft, should signal a marked improvement from last season.
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