(Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr/Getty Images)
Round Five – 166th Overall
Isaac Asiata, OG, Utah (6-foot-3, 323 pounds)
Because Miami addressed its offensive line needs – namely new left and right guards – the team can now sit back and take a comb through the later rounds for the best lineman available at a given time.
At this point, a team is looking for guys who can come in and raise the level of competition at their position – with a best case scenario of developing into a starter or ultimately providing quality depth.
Utah’s Isaac Asiata, the cousin of Minnesota Vikings running back Matt Asiata, is a big-bodied interior lineman that has shown great power and above average athleticism when he’s on the move.
Asiata has been described as an “effort guy” – a good label for an offensive lineman to have. He does a good job of delivering the first blow on defensive linemen and blitzers and he is strong enough to uproot bigger nose tackles to open running lanes.
Another plus with Asiata is that he’s positional versatile – having played both guard spots as well as being a spot-duty center. Players like that always find a way to stick on rosters.
