Dolphins shift – After claiming defensive tackle James Ester off waivers, the Dolphins are listing him as a guard and giving him a chance to earn a roster spot on offense—despite his NFL background and a Packers practice-squad track record.
James Ester arrived in Dolphins colors with a defensive tackle label—then immediately found himself looking the other way.
The Dolphins claimed the defensive tackle off waivers, a move that initially read like a depth play for the defensive line. Ester has always been a defensive lineman in the NFL, in college, and in high school. But the road to making Miami’s roster runs through the offense now.
On the Dolphins’ official roster, Ester is listed as a guard. Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald reported that the team believed he could play guard, and that’s where he was working during the portion of Organized Team Activities open to the media.
The switch is bigger than a position name on a roster sheet. Ester played defensive line at Cass Tech High School in Detroit for all five of his seasons at Northern Illinois. He then spent the last two years with the Packers’ practice squad. after growing into the role of a defensive lineman on his way up.
But the Packers never put him on the field for a regular-season game in Green Bay. When the Dolphins’ front office—G.M. Jon-Eric Sullivan and head coach Jeff Hafley, both previously with the Packers—claimed Ester, it suggested they saw something they could translate to the offensive line.
At 6-foot-3 and 289 pounds, Ester’s path in Miami looks like a long shot. Still, with NFL rosters set at 90 players during the offseason, the Dolphins are willing to spend time giving a talented player a look at a new position.
For now, the claim has turned into a test: can James Ester take what worked on the defensive line and make it count as an offensive guard?
James Ester Dolphins defensive tackle guard waivers Jon-Eric Sullivan Jeff Hafley Packers practice squad Organized Team Activities
So they really just be changing his position like it’s Madden? Lol
I don’t get it, he was a defensive tackle his whole life right? Then suddenly guard? That feels like a backup plan not a plan.
Wait who is Ester again—like isn’t he the guy from the Packers that never played because he was injured or something? If they never used him on defense, how is he gonna just learn offense that fast? Sounds like Miami is just gambling.
Packers to Dolphins, always somebody switching sides… I feel like this either means he’s secretly a stud at blocking or they’re just desperate for bodies. Also 6-3 289 doesn’t scream guard to me but I’m not an expert. Bet he gets cut and then someone else picks him up as “defensive line” again.