Top free-agent offensive tackle Terron Armstead reaches 5-year deal with Miami Dolphins, source says

MIAMI — The Miami Dolphins on Tuesday reached agreement with offensive tackle Terron Armstead on a five-year deal worth up to $87.5 million, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter, locking up one of the top free agents of the 2022 cycle.

The deal includes $43.37 million in guaranteed money, the source said.

The former New Orleans Saints left tackle is a three-time Pro Bowler in nine NFL seasons and should provide a boost to one of last season's worst pass blocking teams.

The Dolphins owned the NFL's worst pass block win rate last season, winning just 46.6% of their matchups, per NFL Next Gen stats. For reference, the Super Bowl champion Los Angeles Rams led the NFL in that category at 68.4%. The Dolphins' inability to sustain blocks impacted the way quarterback Tua Tagovailoa played, as his average time to throw (2.52 seconds) was the fourth fastest in the league.

The Dolphins have publicly backed Tagovailoa throughout the offseason and although much of the team's success in 2022 will depend on his development, first-year coach Mike McDaniel has insisted that Tagovailoa needs help around him.

«I haven't seen a quarterback win a football game by himself ever, really,» McDaniel said. «He has to have somebody to throw to. He better not be getting tackled before he throws, so somebody better block.»

Miami addressed its need for playmakers early in free agency, signing running backs Chase Edmonds and Raheem Mostert, and wide receiver Cedrick Wilson. It also used the franchise tag to keep tight end Mike Gesicki and re-signed his backup, Durham Smythe.

But adding Armstead and former Dallas Cowboys guard Connor Williams helps fortify an offensive line that Miami has spent four top-100 draft picks on since 2019. The additions of