Despite some anxious moments as part of the waiting game of free agency, Miami eventually landed its top target in former New Orleans left tackle Terron Armstead. The former third-rounder out of Arkansas-Pine Bluff earned a five-year, $87.5 million contract -- including $43.37 million guaranteed -- to help fix the 'Fins offensive front.
The pluses: There are a number of reasons why Armstead was considered free agency's top offensive tackle and tabbed as the No. 79 player in the league in the NFL's annual list of top 100 players. According to Pro Football Focus, he's received a top-10 pass-blocking grade in each of the past seven seasons, allowing pressures on only 3.7% of his pass-blocking reps, tied for best in the league in that span. Demonstrating his versatility, PFF has also graded him at 95% in blocking for man-to-man running assignments and 88% on zone runs since 2015. That should be music to the ears of new offensive coordinator Frank Smith, who will be reunited with Armstead after Smith served as an assistant with the Saints.
The negatives: The lone issue here -- and it's a significant one -- is availability. While he's known for playing through pain, the 6-5, 304-pound Armstead has only played more than 13 games four times in nine NFL seasons, appearing in 97 games for the Saints over that timeframe. He missed half of last season, and the sole reason why he lingered in free agency after the initial wave of high-profile signings was injury concerns. For a soon-to-be 31-year-old playing a cornerstone position, this is a situation to monitor and account for.
The bottom line: Look, let's not overthink this: The Dolphins added a three-time Pro Bowler to a unit that featured the worst-graded tackles in the league (50.8 by PFF) last year. Armstead brings a reputation as a locker room leader and tone-setter from a culture standpoint, and when he's right, he's a borderline dominant left tackle. Miami did its due diligence and will need to have a backup plan in place, but this is a home run move by a franchise that needs more of them. On top of all else, Armstead showed up to his introductory press conference wearing a Dan Marino throwback jersey, immediately cementing his status as a fan favorite.
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