In 2025, the Miami Dolphins brought in James Daniels to be their starting right guard, but he went down early in Week 1 and never returned to the lineup. And after Kion Smith struggled in his opportunities, Mike McDaniel gave the job to Cole Strange for the remainder of the season.
With Miami cutting Daniels and Strange leaving to follow McDaniel to the Los Angeles Chargers, the Dolphins needed to find someone to fill the spot. And, even though they’ve signed Jamaree Salyer, the starting job isn’t guaranteed.
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In fact, there could be some competition at both guard spots, with Salyer and Jonah Savaiinaea involved.
“Savaiinaea will be first one to tell you he has got to be more consistent,” Jon-Eric Sullivan said earlier this week (transcribed by the Miami Herald). “On the right side, we have some questions we need to get answered. Austin Jackson. We’re excited to get him back; he needs to stay healthy.
“We are going to have competition at the right guard spot. I like a lot of pieces on our offensive line — our left tackle and center especially. There’s going to be competition elsewhere.”
Savaiinaea started 17 games at left guard in 2025 after the Dolphins took him in the second round out of Arizona, where he played guard and tackle. However, his name isn’t written in permanent marker on the depth chart as a starting guard due to his struggles as a rookie.
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Salyer appeared in 64 games and started 40 for the Chargers over the last four years after an national championship-winning and All-American final season at Georgia.
While these two are penciled into the starting spots right now, they’ll have to hold off Smith, Josh Priebe and Braeden Daniels. There’s also a strong chance that the Dolphins use at least one of their picks in the first three rounds on an interior offensive lineman to compete for a job as well.
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This article originally appeared on Dolphins Wire: Dolphins GM officially announces competition for one starting job
