Dolphins to host free agent offensive tackle Jermon Bushrod

The Miami Dolphins could be looking to address their disappointing guard play by signing an offensive tackle. At least, that would appear to be the case with the report from CBS Sports' Jason La Canfora. The Dolphins will host free agent left tackle Jermon Bushrod this week, La Canfora writes, a move that is somewhat surprising given Miami has Pro Bowl left tackle Branden Albert still in place.

The team could be looking to do a couple of things if they land Bushrod, including releasing Albert, which would provide the team with $5.05 million in salary cap space, but would also count for $5.1 million in dead money. The team could adjust that by designating Albert a post-June 1 cut, in which case he would provide $8.45 million in savings this year, with $1.7 million in dead money for 2016, plus $1.7 million in dead money in 2017, but that would also mean the team could not use that money until June.

The other option if Bushrod were to join Miami would be to push either Albert or right tackle Ja'Wuan James to guard, then use Bushrod at left tackle and Albert or James at right tackle. Bushrod has 96 career starts at left tackle, though injuries saw his play degrade last year and the Chicago Bears only started him four times. He was selected to the 2011 and 2012 Pro Bowls, both times as a member of the New Orleans Saints.

Bushrod had both shoulder and back injuries during the 2015 season, including surgery on his shoulder in February. Any signing would have to include a passed physical, though the recovery from the surgery could force Bushrod to miss the offseason training programs for his new team, with medical clearance to return likely coming in June.