Offensive Line Draft Preview with Rashad Butler

dose of Miami Dolphins football. And on today's show, we are joined by an eight year NFL VET along the offensive line to break down Miami's to free agent additions to that group and this deep draft class, both at the tackle position and along the interior offensive line. We'll do that here on this Monday, April the sixth edition

of the Drivetime Podcastami Dolphins. And we are less than three weeks away from the draft kicking off on April Thursday, eight o'clock in the East, five o'clock out in the west.

And as we are now just seventeen days away from the draft kicking off, I figured, why don't we go ahead and talk to a bunch of experts on the podcast and break this thing down position by position and get a bunch of experts on these particular positions, whether it's guys that have played in the league, guys that have extensive knowledge of these particular positions and have done

their work and their homework on this draft class. And so today's podcast, we're talking all things offensive line with former offensive lineman both at the University of Miami and in the NFL, Rashad Butler. Let's go ahead and get to that interview, and joining the Drivetime podcast now is former Miami Hurricanes offensive tackle. He played eight years in the league with Carolina, Houston, and Cleveland, most recently a radio personality on seven ninety the Ticket in South Florida

and a good friend of mine as well. He is Rashad Butler. Rashad, what's up, Big Doug, what's going on? My man? Thank you for having me on the Drive Time podcasts. I feel like I've made it now there. Wow, Well, it's funny. It's funny for you to say that because we've done this semple times before where you're the one asking me questions. So I'm excited to get into the weeds here on a position that to me, Rashad, this

is the least understood position in all of football. And I say this with full disclosure for myself because it's true for me, because I think there's a lot of guesswork that goes into it when you don't know the assignments. But that's where an eight year NFL VET comes in to handle that type of conversation, right. Oh. Absolutely. Uh. I love breaking down offensive lineman. Uh. It's something that, like you said, I've been accustomed to doing because I

played the position all my life. I mean, going back to little league, the very first position I played was along the offensive line. I mean I didn't have the choice of playing like defensive line or a linebacker, you know, cornerback or hell even quarterback. He would like, listen, you are bigger than the rest of the kids, so you're gonna be down here, uh, in the trenches. But sometimes don't they want to give that kid the ball making

the running backs so that he can just run fools over. Well, you know, I think a lot of the other kids were a lot faster than me back then. So uh, I think it was a no brainer that I think I was probably best suited along the offensive line. Well, I think it worked out at the end for your roshot eight years in the league. We're gonna talk about some football here, but first I gotta ask you man, this is the topic we always get into first here. How are you doing with all this coronavirus stuff and

beings quarantined? You're staying healthy, You're staying safe, I am. I think the toughest part is just sticking to your normal routine throughout the day. I'm very routine, because you know, I played football my entire life, dating back to high school, then through college and in the NFL, and I'm very routine. But now, man, I mean, I think ever since I retired, I got myself on a routine and I was able to do things throughout the day or I had things

to do throughout the day. But with this quarantine, I'm finding myself finishing my daily routine a lot quicker or a lot earlier. And man, it's just really hard to I guess, you know, make up the time or try to find something to do to pass that time when you have just so much time in your hands. Yeah, staying active is the number one thing you have to do. And for someone that's worked for home for basically three or four years now, that's a challenge that I've been

accustomed to for a few years. But this is a whole another level. I mean, getting out to the gym was like my my favorite thing to do because it, just like you said, it breaks up the day. But now I'm out in my backyard looking like Moren with my little hand with my dumbbells out there running around doing my own drills and stuff. So it's it's something, man. We gotta stay busy. That's gonna how we're gonna get through this, I think. But I think we're on the

right track. I hope we're on the right track. Let's talk some football rashot and get people hear what they want to hear on this podcast. First, before we do, I want to hear about your draft day experience, third round draft pick of the Carolina Panthers, number eighty six overall. What was that experience like for you? Uh, it was a great experience, just because I was under the impression from uh my agents that I was going to be a early fourth round pick, so somewhere in the fourth round.

And back then the draft was two days, Saturday and Sunday, where Saturday was the first three rounds and Sunday was rounds four through seven. So I was anticipating not hearing my name called it at all on that first day so you know, I watched the draft the first day because you know, a lot of those guys that went early. I knew about where I played up against UH throughout

that season. And I remember I was actually it was at night and I was heading to get something to eat with my my dad two Wendy's and my phone starts to ring and I see a seven or four number and I had no idea what the hell is seven or four number was? And it was the Carolina Panthers and they got on the phone. I think he may have been a scout or something, and he asked me. He was like, uh, you want to be a Carolina Panther And I'm like, hell yeah, Like let's get this

party started. And I just remember, you know, briefly talking to Marty Herny, who was the GM at the time, UH and then Coach Fox who was the head coach at the time. And again I was just in utter belief because I had my mind set along with my agents,

that I was gonna go early on Sunday. So I remember I was just anticipating getting something to eat from Wendy's and then going back and just you know, getting some sleep and then waking up early and getting ready for uh, I guess getting ready to hear my name called on Sunday. But man, I mean that was a very huge surprise, man, And I remember I was just

extatic the rest of the night. I mean, honestly, I don't think I got any sleep that night at all, because again, it was just an utter surprise to me, A big surprise that had to be the best tasting junior bake and cheeseburg you ever ate. I'm sure you know. The funny thing about it, I cannot remember what I got from Wendies either to this day. You were too excited. Something else came up that was a little bit more

important that day for you. So we understand that. Let's go ahead now and talk about the real reason you hear on this podcast for shot talk about some offensive line play, and coming into the off season, we knew the Dolphins had to add some guys to that front line, and they have. They added quality starters and Eric Flowers and Ted Carriss. Let's go ahead and start there first.

What with what we currently have. You always teach me things about offensive line play, Rashod, whether it's on Twitter, through our text change, on these podcasts, whatever it is, I think it's the toughest to evaluate. Like I mentioned, So now I ask you to do the same here with our audience on this drivetime podcast. Give me your film notes on both Eric Flowers and Ted Carress if you can. So. With both players, I treated both players

a little bit differently. I wanted to watch three games, uh in entirety of both players, but I wanted to watch Eric Flowers first because I know Eric Flowers was new to the guarden position. This was the first year where he was moved from outside uh two inside. So with him, what I wanted to do was I wanted to see his progression and throughout the season. So the very first game I watched was the Week sixth game against the Miami Dolphins, and the second game I watched

was the Week thirteen game against the Carolina Panthers. In the final game I watched the piss was the week's seven team game with the Dallas Cowboys. And one thing that jumps down on film to me when you look at him, that's just is just the sheer power at the point of attack. I mean, this guy, I mean, we all that knew how big he was, but just how powerfully is it's just you see it on film. And one thing about him, I mean, once he really gets his hands on you, nine times out of ten

he has the block one. And I think the best thing that has ever happened to him was moving from uh cackle it to guard and man, listen. Guard fits him perfectly because he is just so powerful at the point of attack. And I just loved watching those three games because you saw him get better as the eason progressed.

And I think that's one thing that is so important with any player in the NFL is you want to see progression from gaining the game, especially in a young player and especially in a player that he is playing the position for the very first time in the NFL. And that's one thing I saw with Eric Flowers. Man was just again he got better from UH from week to week. And he's just so powerful at the point

of attack. And also I think he does a really good job of moving his feet really well in a shorter area of space, like I think he excels the best to me when it comes to past protection when a guy is either head up UH a two alignment or slightly outside a three alignment and listen out of all those three games I watched, I rarely rarely saw him get beat. And if he did get beat, he was able when he was able to recover so quick to where his uh, his his foot speed made up

for it. Yeah, his production down the end of the back half of the season was up there with the best guards in all the football. And then you mentioned a couple of those games that Panther tape that was a ridiculous tape. I watched that one too, and he was just blowing guys off the ball. There was a rapp where he had Gerald McCoy and he chipped him and he got McCoy turned around, and that made it a very easy block for the left tackle on a

combination block. Then he climbs up to the linebackers and completely wipes out Luke Keekley. So we're not talking about just run of the mill guys here. We're talking about multi time pro bowler, as an All pros that he's wiping out pretty easily. He had a very good game in that Cowboys game, like you mentioned as well late in the season there too. Let's go ahead and talk about Ted Carress a little bit here. He can play

some center, he can play some guard. Kind of the theme here of the Dolphins offensive line really the roster in general versatility. What did you see from Ted Carross on tape? So the way I treated Ted Carres was I wanted to see his versatility, meaning the type of players he went up again. So the first game I chose to watch was the Week nine matchup against the Ravens, because I know the Ravens. They're always very stout and they have very very big guys that their only job

is the close of the middle. So I wanted to see how he fared against those guys. And boy, he did very very well. And the thing that jumped out to me on film, you know, and watching the three games was how exact his butt, his his his footwork was excuse me? And his technique, I mean he I want to say, for the most part, he always took perfect steps in the running game and even in the

passing game. I very rarely ever saw him get over extended, you know, rum blocking or path blocking, because he was so exact with his steps and he actually, you know, he played with a nice space and he just never got over his heels. I know. The one thing you may hear offensive line coaches always harp on offensive linement about is bending at the knees rather than the ways. Because you've been at the ways, you kind of get over your heelers and you happen to you, you happen

to be on the ground a lot. When you see a lot of guys on the ground is because they're not playing with enough niving. But Ted Carress, I mean in that game to go up against the monsters that he went up against, I did not see him get pushed back off the ball at all. He was either stalemating guys, which is hey to me, that's a win against you know, that type of defense, especially in the middle,

or he was moving guys off the ball. And then the third sorry, the second game I watched was the game against the Eagles, and that was we could levet because I wanted to see him go up against a guy and Fletcher Cocks that is big and that's quick. And I'm gonna say this, you know Fletcher Cox. I mean he is the second highest paid interior defensive linement

for a reason, behind Aaron Donald and Ted Carress. I mean there were plays where he got beat, but I'm gonna say this, he held his own against Fletcher Cox. I mean there was some plays where he was just standing Fletcher cocks up and he was actually driving him off the ball. So I was very pleased to see that.

And in the last game I saw was the game against the Dolphins, because it's one thing I know about Brian Flora's defense is you know, he's gonna have guys that are gonna play big and strong and stout at the point of attack, and I want to see him go up against the guy and Devon Gotcha who have a lot of respect for And again Ted Carris held his own against Devon catch out and did very well

against Christian Wilkins. So to me, when looking at Ted Carris, it's just the feat work and just the ability to bend his knees and just play with your technique like very rarely have I seen a center that just plays we get technique and just plays so stout at the point of attack. There's a great mic up session with

Fletcher Cox and that Dolphins game. I know it's not the same player we're talking about here where he told he tells Michael Dieter after he wins a player wins a rep and Dieter says how do you know where were running that play? And Fletcher Cox says, there's a reason they're paying me twenty million bucks, young pup. So basically, yeah, So you can get a sense of how Ted Carres can handle some of the game's best on the interior

offensive line. And while the Dolphins made plenty of strives and free agency, they got four teen draft picks to work with Rashade and a really good offensive line class coming in. And I want to go ahead and get your take here. First. Let's go ahead and start with the tackle class. And according to most draft sites, there are four guys that are basically in the top tier on their own Alabama's Jedrick Wills, Iowa's Tristan Worth's, Louisville's

McKay Beckton, and Georgia's Andrew Thomas. That's not any specific order, but I want to get your take on those guys, like, what is something that each of those guys does that you like Rashade? So I'm gonna start off with the number one guy on my board, and that is Jeddrick Wheels. The reason I have to number one because he just does everything consistently well, you know, and I think when you're playing offensive line with you're playing center guard tackle.

The reason why you have guys like u Zack Martin or guys like Andrew Whitworth that had been doing it at a high level for so long, or Alex Mac at center at their position is because they do things consistently well. And when I look at Judged Wills, it's hard to find him every game beat on on feeling, and it's hard it's hardly to find him ever taking just the wrong steps to the wrong angles at guys. So that's why I had to number one, and then

I would say number two. I know a lot of people are gonna go with Tristan Worth's, but to me, I gotta go with mckaybeca just because I mean, I don't think I've seen a guy that big and that strong, that is so athletic and so light on his feet and the and the scary part about it is that kid is only scratching the surfing. I watched that Florida State game, and I mean what he was doing to those edge Russias from Florida State was not even funny.

Like me watching film, I felt bad for those guys because I'm thinking, like man that must suck to kind of put those types of reps on film. I mean, to get abused the way they we're getting abused. I mean, the sky is just the limit for him. And with Tristan Worth's, I mean, I think the school itself, you know,

says enough. I mean, Iowa has produced so many great guys over the years, man, where you know, if you're drafting a office alignement from Iowa, there's about to get seventy chance that guy is gonna hit at the next level. And when I look at Trista Worf's, I mean, the one thing that just jumps out to me, it's just his athleticism. And I mean, and again he showed it off at the combine. I mean, to put up the numbers he put up and to be you know, that big,

I mean that was impressive. I mean he was close to putting up tight end numbers. Man. And we're talking about a guy that wighs what thirty thirty forty forty more pounds more than the average tight end that was at the combine. It's crazy, it is, man, it really is. And then Andrew Thomas to me, uh, he's a guy that is a big, physical guy. I think a guy that is still a little raw as far as in his technique, uh in specific pastor detected, because I think he needs to play with like a little bit more

me been. But I mean, one thing that I like about him is he's a milder man. I mean, he is out there to try to embarrass guys, and he has no problem with the contact and the constant contact play after play after play. Me he's a guy I feel like he's a perfect uh run block tackle. I mean, yeah,

I mean, I love all four. It's fun to watch all those guys on tape for the reasons you mentioned, And I think the reason that all four of those guys really kind of separate themselves from the rest of the pack is because, like you said, they all kind of offer that same combination of athletic ability and just pure power, and some of them maybe more than others. But you can watch any of those four guys tape and watch them blow guys off the ball or get

into good pass sex quickly and win that way. So it's it's a lot of fun to watch. I imagine those four guys go off the board pretty quickly, and not in any specific order. Here again, Raschal, But I want to get your perception here of the quote unquote next tier of guys, and I hate grouping it that way because I think that there's a good chance a lot of these guys could be good starters at the next level two and you never know how that stacks up in the draft. Let's go ahead and just go off.

For instance, the Draft Networks big board, those top four guys are all in the top eighteen on their overall big board. Then they've got Lucas Nyon from TCU at thirty nine, Josh Jones from Houston at forty eight, Prince Tega one ago from Auburn, and then Austin Jackson from USC at sixty eight. So a good clump of guys there again, another tier of players. Can you tell us which of those guys you might like who caught your

eye on film? I know you've been grinding that tape. Uh, well, the three guys I like, and just I'll say this because I don't want to get off as far as grouping these guys as far as where they could the best. Lucas Lucas Nyon, I think he's another guy that like. Let's just say Ickay Beck has gone early, which I think a lot of a lot of people expect, and if and you Thomas has gone up early as well too.

I think that's the guy that the Dolphins should consider because when you look at his tape, you know, compared to the secondary guys as far as Austin Jackson, Josh Jones, he's another model. I mean, I think the only reason he's not mentioned, you know, in that first tears because I think he's he's had some red flags as far as like that hip injury and things of that nature. But he's another guy that he loves to be physical and he loves to actually play smash mouth football. Austin

Jackson and Josh Jones I like them too. I think their biggest attribute to trait is athleticism. I mean with Josh Jones and Austin Jackson, you see, uh, those two guys can really get out and move well in space and a lot of and and both of them were very long arm guys too. I'm glad you mentioned Lucas n On in that group there, because he really stands

out for me for a variety of reasons. He did miss the back half of the season with an injury and he was really fighting and toughing that thing out and playing through pain throughout the season, and you watch his pass sets and he talked about this he he came, he was very transparent about this fact that he wasn't really able to open those hips like he normally can.

And you know this for Shad, the explosive nature of playing that position, you have to really be able to pop and unlock those hips in order to get depth and to get vertical, and he really couldn't get with because he couldn't open up the way he normally would, and he had to take these like drop steps going straight backwards just to get himself to his landmark to make his initial block. And even though it might have

looked unconventional at times, but he made it work. And that's what was beautiful about his tape was he was still productive with that kind of unnatural pass set that he had to work with. So that was fun to watch. Let's go ahead now, Roshat and move inside, because we know that the take on the Dolphins entire roster is

playing multiple positions. But first, before we talk about the individuals, We've talked on this podcast a lot about versatility and some of the guys that have position to flexibility on this offensive line. Ted Carris was a Garden college. He has played guard and center in the NFL. Eric Flowers played a lot of tackle and most recently guard. Like you mentioned, Jesse Davis has played four of the five

possessions in his career along the offensive line. How tough is it for guys to learn how to play multiple spots, whether it's a center playing guard, or whether it's a tackle that kicks inside the guard. How tough is that? I think when guys are introduced h to that early in their career. I know I was as far as

flit flopping from right and left tackle. Uh. I think it's hard at first, but it suits players better if they're able to learn that within the first you know, year two, I think the longer you play, like once you get up into year three or year four and

year five, I think it becomes harder. But again, if guys are taught that early, and I think a lot of office on line coaches and a lot of teams are doing a great job of making their guys interchangeable because claim I mean, to be honest with you, I think they have to because I mean, most teams typically dressed anywhere from seven to eight offensive alignment a game. I mean, I know when I played for the Texans,

we usually dressed seven. So we had the five starters, and we had two guys that were backups, and we and we had a guy that would uh was a guy that can play both guards in the center, and we had to swing tackle. And I just think it makes a lot of sense to really cross train guys like that because the NFL now is just I mean, we're actually going to expand to another game and what

two thousand and twenty one. I mean, hey, I mean sixteen games is brutal as it is, and now you're asking guys to play another game on top of that. I mean, listen, listen. I'm happy they expanded the roster, so hopefully, I mean we'll see uh more positions dressed uh dressed guys throughout uh the week. But again, I mean listen, I think it's smart for teams to really protect their backside by how mean guys that are uh,

I mean, that are interchangeable. Yeah, You've got flowers who can play tackle on a pinch, Carras can play multiple spots, and a top rated center in this class from the Draft Network is Michigan Caesar Louise and he's rated number thirty eight overall. But he started off in college playing guard out of necessity as a true freshman. Then he

kicks back to his original position at center. And I heard him on the Draft Dudes podcast with Jordan Reid, a great source for all things draft and all things football. He was talking to Caesar about kind of the responsibility of playing the center position and how you take a lot of pride in that because you're the one kind

of calling the shots. You're kind of an extension of the quarterback in terms of what he sees from the protection and a lot of times when there's a young quarterback back there, that center can be the one set in those protections. So he has a lot on his plate. Is he your top interior offensive line and just kind of walk us through that class the way you see it at guard and center in this year's draft class, Caesar Ruis. I mean, one thing I like about his

film is it's much like Ted Carress. I mean, he takes real league good steps both in the run game and in the passing game, and quite frankly, I enjoy watching Michigan Football just for their offensive line, because I think their officer line coach does a good job year in the year out as far as really getting them to play first and foremost as a unit. It really, I mean you see a lot of guys along their officer line. They always come into the NFL understanding the

proper technique of you know, their positions. And with Caesar Reeves, I mean I just think, to me, his technique and his footwork really jumps out along with you know, his strength as well too, because I mean he gets after guys on film. So I love that. Lloyd Cushionberry is another guy I love too, just because with him you see the athleticism and again, I mean I think anytime you have a guy like Joe Burrow who has given him a lot of praise, I mean, hey, I mean

that has to speak for himself. Because Joe Burrow, I mean, have arguably arguably probably the best college football season we've ever seen. In god, those wins, you know what I mean. So I think his tape again, to me, it's just his athleticism and super leads he would be getting. Again, I give Caesar the bump over him because I think Caesar plays with better technique on a consistent basis than

Lloyd pischett Berry does. But at the same time, I mean, it's not a it's not a huge gap between those two. And every time I hear you know, these conversations, Rashad, what I always hearken back to is just how many options and how flexible the Dolphins can be. You know, getting guys on the offensive line are really across the entire roster because they have all these premium draft picks and they have so many guys and now, especially after free agency, the way they've kind of plugged up a

lot of those holes. They can pretty much go in any direction they want, and that flexibility can really allow them to control this draft. So looking forward to that great stuff, Rashade. We appreciate your time breaking down the offensive line. He is Rashad Butler. You can find him on Twitter at rashaw Jamal b h. Thank you so much for doing this, man, and let's go catch another heat game when this is all over, and then listen, man. One thing to congratulations on the new gig man. Listen,

it is well deserved. Uh my, my radio mate, over that step of ninety a year ago put me onto you Locked On Dolphins, Zach Doro said. He was like, listen, uh, there's this guy that really breaks down the Miami Dolphins in and out, and give him a listen. And I remember I gave you a listen for the first time and I've been hooked man, So listen well deserved on the new gig. I'm happy that you have a chance

to actually live out your lifelong dream. And also to let you know Locked On Dolphins is in good hands because you guy, Cal Crabs is actually feeling the void quite well. Man, So Locked On Dolphins listen. You set the bar high, and you know Cal is doing a good job. Are replacing you man. I said he was the only guy that I wanted to replace my spot there because I thought he would the torch perfectly. And I'm glad you're that he has done just that. And again, Rashad,

thank you for the kind words. I really appreciate that. We'll get to meet up here soon man, as soon as I can get down to South Florida. I can't wait, Man, so appreciate your time. We'll look forward to getting a drink with you one of these days and catching a heat game or even going to a Hurricanes game hopefully with you. Man. I bet you you and man you and really do that the right way. I'm sure we do. Man. All right, brother, have a good night now, thank you again,

you too, man, Thank you, And there he goes. Rashan Butler always a pleasure to talk offensive line play with him. You'll see him chime in on my Twitter, my tweets, I guess and my mentions, and he always has something great to talk about, something great you can teach the casual football fan about offensive line play. A great mind, a great scout, so to speak. Here on the airway.

So we appreciate Rashad's time. We're gonna get to plenty more of these position breakdowns here on the podcast, up on the Miami Dolphins dot com website, and plenty of other social media avenues and the like for you guys here Miami Dolphins podcast Network. But as for today's show, that's gonna be my time you all, please be sure to subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, wherever you get your podcast from. Go ahead and leave us a rating, leave us a five star review, give

me a follow on Twitter. It's at Wingfield NFL. Follow the Dolphins at Miami Dolphins, check out the Fish Tank and the Audible podcast, and of course Miami dolphins dot com. Until next time, fins up.