The Dolphins have signed free agent offensive lineman Jamaree Salyer. A sixth-round pick in 2022 out of Georgia, Salyer spent his first four NFL years as a member of the Los Angeles Chargers.
Here are a few facts about the latest Dolphins man in the trenches.
1. Experience and versatility
Through the first three years of Jamaree Salyer's career, he never missed a game. He appeared in all 51 possible games, starting 35 of those contests. He missed four games last season, giving him a total of 64 games played and 40 total starts in four seasons. Those appearances have occurred at three different positions. He has played 21 games at left tackle, 28 at right guard and three at right tackle.
Salyer also played for three different offensive coordinators, all of whom came from different schematic backgrounds. His first year was with Joe Lombardi, then a season with Kellen Moore and the last two seasons with Greg Roman. Those systems range from man, power-based schemes to wide zone stretch running games. His college system at Georgia was also a mix of man and zone running schemes.
2. Tale of the tape
A man of Salyer's size (6-4, 325 pounds), should not have the foot quickness he possesses. However, Salyer's easy glide kick-slide allows him to get into his pass set and assess rusher's initial steps, then react with patience to their arsenal of moves. This skill especially benefits Salyer when he kicks inside to guard as he can wall off defensive tackles who try to slant across his face. When on the perimeter, there's more room to redirect after an initial move, but the bigger-bodied rushers inside really struggle to escape Salyer's grasp.
According to Pro Football Focus, Salyer has allowed 123 pressures on 1,982 career pass blocking snaps. That's good for a pass blocking efficiency score of 96.2. One of the best traits in Salyer's game is the thud in his hands. When he throws his punch in pass pro, or attaches in the running game, he impacts defenders with his giant mitts.
Salyer's 2022 Scouting Combine workout showcased his skill set. He measured in the 80th percentile for weight, the 94th percentile with 31 bench press reps of 205 pounds and in the 68th percentile with his 4.70 short-shuttle time – that's the makeup of a quick-footed, powerful profile.
3. Big doesn't get small
That was an often-aggregated line from Jon-Eric Sullivan's introduction interview to Dolphins fans when he appeared on the team's YouTube channel last February. The Dolphins added multiple defensive backs this free agency period with size and length, and the same is true of this offensive line addition. Salyer is a thickly built people-mover who plays with good pad level in the run game. His hands operate independently of one another when jockey for proper positioning in the run game and on combination blocks.
O-Line Masterminds' Brandon Thorn, in his pre-draft profile, described Sayler as a long-armed, barrel-chested player with heavy hands, and an iron head who is built like a refrigerator.
Salyer's size and power enable him to create displacement and provide plenty of pop in the run game.
For more analysis and insight on the Dolphins new acquisitions, download the Drive Time podcast with Travis Wingfield.
Willis didn't run the 40-yard dash at the 2022 NFL Scouting Combine, but he did clock a 4.37 as a sophomore at Auburn.
2. Developing his game
Willis' sample size is limited. He has started six games and thrown 155 passes in four years as a pro. He was traded to the Packers 11 days before their 2024 season opener against Philadelphia. He finished that game and made his Packers starting debut the following week against Indianapolis—just 20 days after getting his new playbook. He posted a 126.8 passer rating, completed 85.7% of his passes, threw a touchdown and rushed for 41 yards in the win over the Colts. LaFleur was impressed by Willis' command of the offense despite wearing the green and gold for just three weeks.
"I don't think you guys can appreciate, or even comprehend, the task that Malik Willis [had] — I mean, this guy got here three weeks ago," LaFleur said after the game. "For him to be able to go out there and command our offense — we still had a lot of long calls. We had shifts, motions, a ton of different run schemes. There was a lot put on his plate, and for him to be able to go out there and do what he did today, I think that speaks volumes of who he is as a person and the work that he's put in. Just super proud of him. I think our coaches did a great job preparing him. Yeah, just really happy and proud of our football team."
3. Efficient, explosive
Willis' production continued through two more Packers starts and several relief appearances. He delivered a 30-14 win over the Titans in Week 3 of the 2024 season, throwing for 202 yards and adding 73 on the ground with a sterling 120.9 passer rating.
Willis would start one more game for the Packers in December 2025—a Week 17 matchup against Baltimore. He played three quarters against the Bears the week prior in a pivotal divisional showdown that went to overtime. In those two games, he combined for 409 yards passing, 104 rushing and four total touchdowns (two passing, two rushing), while completing 84.4% percent of his passes for a 139.6 passer rating.
His cumulative numbers in two years with the Packers: nine touchdowns (six passing, three rushing), no interceptions, 972 passing yards (10.9 yards per attempt), 261 rushing yards on 42 attempts (9.2 yards per rush), and a passer rating of 134.6.
The advanced metrics detail Willis' game even further. According to Pro Football Focus, Willis forced 11 missed tackles on his 42 rush attempts (26.1 percent), the most among any quarterback in the NFL. He also ranked first in on-target passes of any air yardage length (76.4 percent), second best on passes of 30-plus yards (67 percent), best on passes traveling 20-29 yards (90 percent) and third best on throws in the 10–19-yard range (71.4 percent).
Long story short, whether it's the deep ball, intermediate throws, quick game or using his legs, Willis provided a jolt to the Packers offense every time he stepped on the field.
For more analysis and insight on Dolphins quarterback Malik Willis, and all the Dolphins new acquisitions, download the Drive Time podcast with Travis Wingfield.
