Miami Dolphins offensive tackle Patrick Paul shared in his rookie year that he someday aspires to be president of Nigeria, a position once held by his grandfather. Political ambitions on hold, he has instead been anointed the Dolphins’ new starting left tackle.
With Terron Armstead now officially retired, Paul ascends on the Miami depth chart into the offensive line’s most critical role.
The Dolphins have practiced in no more than helmets and shorts this time of year, so judging line play in OTAs is near pointless. The reviews of Paul’s play from 2024, however, have typically been tepid and can lean negative, likely in the vein of erring on the side of caution or possibly from making judgments off of scouting service grades, which many pundits unfortunately lean on.
A more nuanced approach to looking at Paul, his respective situation and who it was he was taking snaps against is also worth a dive, so we went in and watched every snap from the four games Paul saw the most significant action in 2024.
DON’T MAKE TOO MUCH OF GRADES
For any fan, reporter (or scouting service frankly), evaluations of offensive linemen often go the way of today’s stock market – collective sentiment tends to take precedent over actual performance.
A grade given to an offensive lineman by anyone outside of the Dolphins’ facility can, at best, be limited in its potential merit. An evaluation without being in the playbook while having a week of practice conversations and coaching can only be judged as half-informed. Maybe less so.
Despite lacking the same insight as everyone else not employed by the team, a review of Paul’s play in games he saw significant action is telling, and below is the apparently bold, seemingly contrarian view – Patrick Paul is going to be a very good player for the Miami Dolphins and it’s not going to take as long as people think.
THE PERFECT LEARNING YEAR
A rookie year working under the tutelage of Terron Armstead isn’t the same as a year under, say, Aaron Rodgers. There is no reason given Armstead’s demeanor and professionalism to assume anything other than it was the perfect apprenticeship for a young, physically-gifted left tackle.
“I knew that coming in (as a rookie) that I was gonna be the guy to go next, and to learn from (Armstead) and have him as my mentor” Paul said recently at OTAs. “This year’s just different, coming in and trying to grow into that role and be ‘the guy’ for this team.”
Spending an entire year taking first team reps every week despite not being the starter is probably the ideal scenario for many would-be left tackles. Fact is, it really never happens that way, but it did for Paul.
Paul came in with an impressive college resume, especially as a pass blocker. At times, he relied heavily on his size and physical gifts. Technique-wise, he had a few issues, particularly with his hand placement. Without Armstead handling practice in his final year the way he did, Paul would have had way less actual practice as well as way fewer practice snaps on film for his coaches to review.
WENT HEAD-TO-HEAD WITH THE BEST
When Paul did see the field his rookie season, there were flashes of both good and not-so-good. He saw significant action in three games at left tackle and one at right tackle. One bonus for his progress was the competition he was able to face.
If there were such thing as a simulator for left tackles, Myles Garrett, Danielle Hunter, Quinnen Williams and Will Anderson would definitely be on “EXPERT” level. In the games he got significant experience, those are the guys Paul took snaps against.
His first real action came in Week 14 at the Jets. Armstead left the game in the first quarter (knee) and Paul went the rest of the way, playing 93% of the snaps. He finished allowing two pressures, two hurries, and no sacks – despite being matched solo on Haasan Reddick – and he had a key block on Devon Achane’s two-yard first quarter touchdown in an eventual overtime win.
In reviewing the Cleveland game, sometimes a rookie gets stuck guarding Michael Jordan and it’s fair to expect a certain outcome.
Myles Garrett is that guy and at times, he had Paul on skates. Other times, however, Paul showed patience, used his feet well and locked Garrett up to the point he showed noticeable frustration with his ineffectiveness once in Paul’s grasp.
Paul played the entire second half against the Browns after Armstead left with an injury, and was at times humbled, allowing a sack and two hurries. But getting a taste of a player with all the speed, athleticism and game of a Garrett when he is near at the top of his game is, again, desirable from an experience standpoint.
Against the Texans, Paul showed his full arsenal as a pass protector. Lining up alongside Robert Jones (LG), Aaron Brewer (C), Liam Eichenberg (RG) and Jackson Carmen (RT), the Dolphins were outmanned by one of the NFL’s elite front lines from the offset.
Despite that and having the benefit of knowing he would start, Paul allowed just one pressure, one hurry and no QB hits. He was easily the best Dolphins lineman in 67 snaps. And yes, that includes Brewer who, flanked by Jones and Eichenberg, was simply outgunned at 295 pounds by Houston’s defensive interior.
Paul’s final performance of ’24 was forgettable and will be treated as such because he was playing out of position. In Week 18 he was forced into action at right tackle vs. the Jets and at times, looked discombobulated.
He allowed four pressures and two QB hurries, despite not allowing a sack.
Anyone who has ever been on a Zoom call knows that completely flip-flopping what you normally do isn’t so easy.
Paul had never played a single career snap, pro or college, anywhere but left tackle. He had never lined up with his right foot back or start a kick with anything but his left. The resulting outcome was somewhat disappointing, as it showed a lack of position flexibility, but if Miami has found it’s left tackle of the future, playing another position is darn near irrelevant.
BETTER COMPANY IN ’25
One thing that a review of last year’s film showed was that Paul will do better with a better player next to him. Sounds straight forward but having Robert Jones next to him last year turned some of Paul’s functional plays into ones that didn’t work out.
The best example is the sack Paul was credited to have given up to Garrett. On the play, Garrett burst quickly inside – something Paul was more susceptible to in ‘24 than outside – but moved Garrett in the direction he was supposed to. Jones was not quick enough to get to his spot on the combo and Garrett squeezed between them both. The sack was awarded to Paul, but better guard play would have led to no sack at all.
With veteran James Daniels presumably next to him, Paul will be able to trust that if he does his part, his teammate will be able to finish.
TRAITS THAT OVERCOME FLAWS
Critiques of Paul’s game largely come from two areas, both actually related to his exceptional size.
Listed at 6-7, 332 pounds last year, Paul admits he needs to work on pad level while the other area he needs to improve is in getting his long arms and strong hands inside on blocks. When he gets his hands on someone and clamps down, play over.
Paul’s size is noticeable, even against NFL-sized athletes. He’s able to use this size in the run game and dominate at times, always playing to the echo of the whistle, another desired trait. What’s most surprising is probably the way he moves.
Against Houston, he can be seen mirroring the athletic Campbell, waiting for the Texans defender to commit to a move before locking him down. This type of movement skill is not only elite, it’s unique, even in this league.
A FELLOW CONTRARIAN
It would be unfair to end this story without mentioning that there has been at least one NFL analyst who has taken a strong, positive approach on what he sees in Patrick Paul.
NFL Network’s Brian Baldinger attended the Dolphins most recent open practice and was struck by Paul’s size enough to go back and look at more tape. On his Instagram, the text of his post says it all, but the video even more.
“(Patrick Paul) has everything it takes to be a very very good LT,” posted Baldinger.
In being asked at OTAs if he felt any pressure taking on the starting job, Paul made clear he sees things in line with Baldinger.
“No, not really,” said Paul. “I’m built for this. I’ve always been ready for the moment and that’s why we play football, to compete at the highest level and be the best at my job. I’m ready.”
A FULL PRO OFFSEASON
Heading toward 2025, Paul enters knowing he’s the projected starter and he’s acting like it.
“He’s been really consistent in his training, which is really good for a young player,” said fellow tackle Austin Jackson. “Last year to this year, he lost a little bit of weight and has still been able to maintain his strength, so that’s another big jump that tackles have to adjust to when they come into the league.”
With a full season ahead knowing the left tackle job is his to lose, THIS will be the year it’s fair to judge the play of Patrick Paul.
Aqua & Coral Report 