Alex Marvez of SiriusXM NFL Radio is reporting the Miami Dolphins have signed veteran offensive linemen DJ Fluker. The terms of the deal have not yet been disclosed.
Excited for my guy @DJTheWarrior76 signing with the @MiamiDolphins per his agent @DerykGilmore. Great guy who will help the offensive line!
— Alex Marvez (@alexmarvez) April 20, 2021
Fluker has been in the NFL since 2013 when he was a 1st round pick (11th overall) by the San Diego Chargers. He has played for San Diego, NY Giants, Seattle Seahawks, and the Baltimore Ravens during his time in the NFL. In 2020 he was with the Ravens where he started 8 of 16 games for them. He can play both offensive tackle and guard but in recent years has been more of a full-time guard than a tackle. He would provide the Dolphins with quality depth on their offensive line and he would push and compete for a starting offensive line spot, most likely at guard.
Fluker started 14 or 14 games he played in during the 2019 season as a member of the Seattle Seahawks. And started 8 of 10 games the year prior. DJ Fluker just turned 30 years old and is one of the rare players over the age of 30 on the Dolphins currently.
To me, the Fluker signing is insurance in case Hunt and/or Kindley don't take a leap forward in year 2 like we (and I'm sure the organization) is hoping to see. I wouldn't read more into it. Fluker will push both for a starting job & at worse be better depth than Michael Deiter
— DolphinsTalk.com (@DolphinsTalk) April 20, 2021
5/2/21. Not solely related to the DJ Fluker subject, is the state of the Miami Dolphins. While the franchise appears to be heading in the right direction, with a very capable coach, it is realistic to believe the team will take a step back in the 2021 regular season.
The reasons for an expected decline in 2021 are the following: 1. Dolphins are starting Tua, a young QB that has to prove he can stay healthy, be a leader, a playmaker, and a winner at the NFL level; not an easy task. 2. While the running back Gaskin always gives 100%, he’s not a true game changer other teams worry about. This need has not been addressed in the recent draft or even free agency. 3. Can the defense really be expected to have an even better year than 2020? The loss of Kyle VanNoy means the loss of his leadership and toughness , which will affect those that were around him. 4. It seems Coach Flores changes assistant coaches as often as he changes his socks. New coaches means sometimes new ways of doing things. 5. The perceived lack of loyalty to anyone at any level in the organization, other than to the GM, could cause talented people to shy away from signing with Miami as free agents, coaches, etc.