Bryant McKinnie Visiting Fins Monday
MIAMI (CBSMiami) – While the Miami Dolphins filled a lot of the team's needs in the NFL Draft, there's still a gaping hole at a position key to making the offense successful, left tackle.
The Dolphins tried to acquire left tackle Branden Albert from the Kansas City Chiefs before and during the draft. However, Kansas City's compensation became a sticking point for the deal and the trade never materialized.
Dolphins general manager Jeff Ireland indicated a trade was still possible. "I never say never. I don't want to get into the details of that trade right now when it could or couldn't happen down the road," Ireland told CBS4 news partner the Miami Herald.
Monday, former University of Miami left tackle Bryant McKinnie will be visiting with the team, according to NFL Network's Jeff Darlington. The player, nicknamed Mount McKinnie, would fill an obvious hole at left tackle and allow the Dolphins to keep Jonathan Martin as the starter on the right side.
If the McKinnie who played great for the Baltimore Ravens during the team's postseason Super Bowl run shows up and is ready to give that kind of effort to the Dolphins, it would be a steal for Miami, even if just for one season.
If McKinnie isn't the answer, the Dolphins also have kept the lines of communication open with another former UM star, right tackle Eric Winston. While right tackle isn't the pressing need, signing Winston would allow Miami to try Martin at left tackle and upgrade right tackle at the same time.
Whatever the answer is, Ireland said he has a plan to deal with the position, which is arguably the Fins' biggest remaining weakness.
