Potential Dolphins moves before trade deadline

Ahead of the trade deadline Tuesday, Miami Dolphins GM Chris Grier may be working the phones to add depth pieces for his 5-2 team that's first in the AFC East.

Critics believe the Dolphins — who host the New England Patriots in Week 8 — are more pretenders than contenders because their wins have come against bad teams. That may be so, but Miami clearly has the league's most explosive offense and a team that may get even better when key players — including cornerback Jalen Ramsey — return from injury.

The health of a few key bodies could dictate what transactions Grier makes before the deadline at 4 p.m. ET Tuesday.

Offensive line needs

This is the primary position of need. Miami's Week 7 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles occurred in the trenches. A lack of depth on the offensive line showed in the inability to establish a running game. Miami has been insanely effective on the ground, but unless Grier can find a body or two before the end of Pumpkin Day, the offense could start to look uglier than it did in Philly.

Starting left tackle Terron Armstead, Miami's best offensive lineman, should return in the next three weeks, but he is injury prone. His backup, Kendall Lamm, has performed admirably when called upon, but Miami is decimated on that side of the line. Left guard Isaiah Wynn was just placed on IR and the guy who substitutes for him, Liam Eichenberg, has moved to center to fill in for Week 1 starter Connor Williams.

Williams should also return soon, but with Wynn gone, the Dolphins must find someone else who can protect quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and open lanes better than Eichenberg. 

Look for Grier to upgrade by finding a guard who has the versatility to also play center. One name that makes sense is Ezra Cleveland — he has a reasonable cap number with the Minnesota Vikings, who may soon be out of the playoff picture. Cleveland probably could be had for a late-round draft pick. 

Inside linebacker

David Long Jr. went to the locker room for medical attention in Philadelphia, but he has been a full participant in practice this week. Defensive captain Jerome Baker joins Long as the other inside LB, but if either goes down, edge-rusher Andrew Van Ginkel — who has played superbly this season — would move to linebacker from defensive end.

For depth at linebacker, Grier could add Lavonte David or Devin White, both with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Per Spotrac, White has a big contract, so he might not be feasible for the Dolphins to add.

Tight end

Head coach Mike McDaniel uses his tight ends primarily as run blockers and frequently employs three- or four-wide receiver sets with lots of cheat motion. Tight end is about as glamorous in the offense as a pig at a state fair.

Recently acquired WR Chase Claypool could solve a need in the red zone. He's 6-foot-4 and his body is as wide as a Mack truck, so he could play the role of a tight end on fade patterns and one-on-one jump balls for Tagovailoa. Claypool, however, has yet to factor into McDaniel's playcalling. 

Durham Smythe is an excellent blocking TE, but because Tagovailoa is so deadly throwing into the middle of the field, the Dolphins could benefit from a big body rumbling into the secondary. 

Could that person be retired NFL beast Rob Gronkowski?