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We are currently making our way through the Miami Dolphins' 90-man offseason roster, breaking down last season for each player, as well as what could happen this year. We continue today with a look at offensive lineman Sam Brenner.
2012 Review:
Brenner comes to the Dolphins as an undrafted free agent, having spent five years at Utah, the last two as a starter. In his senior season, Brenner started all 12 games for the Utes, two at right guard before moving to left tackle for the final 10 contests. According to the Utah athletics website, Brenner allowed just one sack in 743 plays over the first 11 games (the 12th game was not graded), along with 13 knockdowns, 7 cuts, and 2 pancakes.
Brenner is listed on the Dolphins website as a center, the only listed center behind third year player Mike Pouncey.
At the Utah Pro Day, Brenner's measureables were: 6'2", 307 pounds, 32-1/2" arm length, 5.03 second 40-yard dash, 29-reps 225 pound benchpress, 29" vertical, 8'8" broad jump, and 4.76 second 20-yard shuttle.
Why he could improve in 2013:
Brenner has quick feet and could battle for a roster position, which is all you are looking for from an undrafted free agent offensive lineman at this point. He will not be able to succeed as a tackle in the NFL, thanks mostly to arm length and a lack of size, however, projections have him being a serviceable interior lineman.
No one is looking for a great performance from Brenner this season, so "improve" might not be the right word in this breakdown.
Why he could regress in 2013:
In order to regress, a player has to have a standard set. As an undrafted free agent, there is not really a set standard. In this case, regression probably means he just does not show any development in training camp. Things he must work on from college is setting his base and being able to succeed against bull rushes. Not having a lot of other information on Brenner, it is hard to give a real reason why, or how, he would regress.
Odds he will make the 53-man roster:
Brenner, at this point, is a camp body. It's interesting that he is listed as the only center behind Pouncey, with Josh Samuda on the roster as a guard this year. Odds are that Samuda will move back into the second string center role, but, at least according to the team right now, Brenner has that spot.
The scouting reports on Brenner seem positive, at least enough that he should be considered for depth on a roster. For Miami, that may mean he ends up on the practice squad. At this point, that is probably the best case scenario for Brenner.