Dolphins offensive tackle's extension rewards team, player with patience

A year ago, some would have argued Dolphins right tackle Austin Jackson was a bust. My, how things have changed.

On Thursday, Jackson received a three-year, $36M contract extension with $20.7M guaranteed after his breakout fourth year in the league, according to NFL insider Ian Rapoport.

In May, the Dolphins declined to pick up the fifth-year option on Jackson's rookie deal after drafting him 18th overall during the 2020 NFL Draft.

In his first three seasons in the league, Jackson underwhelmed. Per data from Pro Football Focus, he allowed 87 total pressures during his first two seasons as he spent time at left tackle and left guard. An ankle injury limited him to two games in 2022 before his breakout season this year at right tackle.

Jackson has only allowed two sacks and 13 total pressures in 431 opportunities, a rate of 3.01 percent compared to 7.64 percent from 2020-22. His improvement is a refreshing reminder that our knee-jerk reactions aren't set in stone and young players can improve if given the time to develop.

That isn't always the case. Some only prove what we thought we knew the more playing time they get. 

But Jackson and the Dolphins both deserve credit for their persistence. It isn't often a player who struggled as much as Jackson did in his first three seasons makes the kind of leap he did this year. Teams are also quick to move on from underperforming players, which Miami could have done by selling low on Jackson in a trade.

Per PFF, among the 39 quarterbacks with the most dropbacks this season, Tua Tagovailoa has been kept clean in the pocket at a higher rate (78.3 percent) than any other quarterback.

On those throws, he is 251-of-329 (76.3 percent) for 3,094 yards, 22 touchdowns and eight interceptions. His excellent 117 passer rating is second only to 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (131.6) in similar situations. Tagovailoa's quick release on those attempts (2.11 seconds) certainly helps him stay clean, but that also demonstrates how the Dolphins have put Jackson in a position to succeed.

Miami ranks 22nd in ESPN's pass rush win rate rankings, but Tagovailoa has only been sacked 17 times this season, tied for the second-lowest in the league among quarterbacks with at least 12 starts.

Jackson's development this year is a prime example of a team that understands its personnel and how to cater its game plan to them.