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Another former Baltimore Ravens offensive lineman is headed to the Sunshine State according to reports. Per his agent, veteran blocker D.J. Fluker is following center Matt Skura to Miami after signing a with the Dolphins on Monday night.
Per his agent, The @MiamiDolphins adding former #nfl 1st-Round pick, @DJTheWarrior76 to help bolster the OL and add another protector for @Tua. Nice #RollTide connection there, too. #Dolphins still hold picks 6 & 18 in the #NFLDraft2021 #FinsUp @ian693 #NFLTwitter #GoDJ pic.twitter.com/dUSEckI4nl
— Josh Moser (@TheMozKnowz) April 20, 2021
Fluker originally signed with the Ravens last May to compete for the starting right gaurd spot that was vactated by the retirement of Marshal Yanda. After losing the competition to rookie Tyre Phillips in training camp, he started the 2020 season serving as the primary swing tackle option before injuries thrusted him into the starting line up.
He appeared in all 16 regular games and both playoff games and made eight starts at right tackle after Ronnie Stanley was lost for the year and Orlando Brown Jr. had to flip over to protect Lamar Jackson’s blindside.
After Phillips returned from an ankle injury, he and the rookie split the starting right tackle duties down the stretch. The two rotated from half to half and sometime even series to series.
The eight-year veteran was a drafted in the first round of the 2013 draft at 11th overall by the then San Diego Chargers. The Dolphins will be his fifth team in his career and the fourth in the last five seasons. Both he and Skura will be competing for roster spots and the opportunity to start on an ascending Miami team that just missed the postseason with a 10-6 record last year.
The Dolphins are committed to 2020 fifth overall pick Tua Tagovailoa as the future of their franchise so finding the best starting five blockers is paramount to his development and the overall team success.
Only time will tell if Fluker wins a staring job or just provide some experienced veteran depth on the right side at both guard and tackle for another young offense. His time in Baltimore with the Ravens was brief and far from spectacular but he was appreciative nonetheless.
@Ravens thanks you for the opportunity. Thank you to all the staff and this organization for blessing me and my family!For my time there as a raven!!!
— DJ Fluker TheWarrior (@DJTheWarrior76) April 20, 2021
The signing leaves wide receivers Dez Bryant and DeAndrew White as the only true unrestricted free agents from the 2020 Ravens that have yet to sign elsewhere this offseason.