Omar Kelly: Robert Hunt looks to build on impressive second season and thrive in Dolphins’ new blocking scheme

There’s no way to pretend we didn’t see the athleticism Robert Hunt put on display last season.

In one play during a Week 10 nationally televised 22-10 win over the Baltimore Ravens the 6-foot-6, 330-pounder caught the everyone’s attention when he grabbed a screen pass and rumbled downfield before acrobatically diving into the end zone for what would have been a 7-yard touchdown reception — if he had been an eligible receiver.

While the play resulted in a penalty, the nation couldn’t stop talking — or tweeting — about the dazzling display of athleticism from the Dolphins big man, who went viral on social media.

It was that exact athleticism, the fancy footwork and cat-like quickness of a 330-plus pounder, that made the Dolphins select the Louisiana Lafayette standout in the second round of the 2020 NFL draft, and eventually made him a rookie starter.

Fast forward to his third season, and Miami’s new coaches are hopeful that Hunt’s athleticism will allow him to thrive in the wide-zone running scheme they are installing, which puts a premium on athletic offensive linemen.

“I’m pretty athletic man. I don’t want to boost myself up too much, but I’m pretty athletic,” Hunt said Wednesday, at the conclusion of the Dolphins fourth week of their offseason workout program. “I can do any scheme. I can do power, outside zone, inside zone. Whatever you need me to do.”

According to Hunt, that could mean playing right guard, the spot he started 17 games at last season, or right tackle, the spot he started 11 games at in 2020.

From his standpoint, he’s working and learning how to play both positions because nothing has been decided yet regarding the starting five, and where everyone fits in. Terron Armstead and Connor Williams, the newcomers added as free agents this offseason, are likely penciled in as the starters on the left side, and Hunt, Liam Eichenberg, Austin Jackson, Solomon Kindley and Robert Jones are vying to determine who starts on the right side of the line.

At this point it’s anyone’s guess who fits where, and who excels in this wide-zone scheme, which focuses on moving the defensive line left and right to create cut-back running lanes for the tailbacks.

But it’s clear that Hunt’s experience, athleticism, and the fact he was the top performer on last year’s struggling Dolphins offensive line, puts him on solid footing for a prominent role.

It doesn’t hurt that this organization believes in Hunt’s upside, and plans to invest in his future because of all the intangibles he brings to the team.

That’s part of the reason the Dolphins targeted him in that 2020 draft, selecting him 39th overall, ahead of NFL standouts like Colts tailback Jonathan Taylor, Steelers receiver Chase Claypool and Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs.

Assistant general manager Marvin Allen told the Dolphins Drive Time podcast earlier this spring that Hunt was a player Miami’s scouting staff targeted because of his personality, and physical traits.

“I fell in love with the person. A guy this big, and that athletic. Everybody sees it,” Allen said. “He was so dominant, and he was that athletic. People got a chance to see a glimpse of the athleticism on the touchdown that wasn’t. It shows his athleticism and power. He’s just a great person. We can build with guys like that.”

Especially if he continues to improve his technique, and gets in better physical condition, which is necessary from a stamina standpoint because of all the running and movement Miami will be doing.

“We all know who Mike McDaniel is. We all know where he comes from, the 49ers. We know exactly what we’re doing out there,” Hunt said, referring to San Francisco’s old school, run-heavy approach to football under McDaniel, who was the team’s run-game coordinator for three seasons before spending last season as the offensive coordinator.

“I’m excited about the scheme and everything we’re going to do.”

His reasoning?

“I get to run off the ball. I like that. I like being physical. I like playing [physical] football,” said Hunt, whose unit paved the way for Miami to average 3.5 yards per carry, which ranked 29th in the NFL last season. “That’s what [this scheme] gives us a chance to do. … I’m trying to run off the ball. I’m trying to be better than I was last year and the year before. I’m excited for that.”

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