MIAMI GARDENS — Patrick Paul was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the second round in 2024 to be that starting left tackle of the future once Terron Armstead retired.
That time has come.
Armstead retired this offseason, officially placed by the Dolphins on the NFL’s retired list Monday, and left tackle is now Paul’s post.
The Dolphins are confident in entrusting Paul with that vital role based on how he didn’t just treat his rookie season to be a redshirt year, even as he knew Miami was set with the five-time Pro Bowl selection Armstead at left tackle and former first-round pick Austin Jackson, now on his second contract, at right tackle.
“He epitomizes a player that didn’t waste his rookie season,” Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel said Tuesday ahead of the team’s session of organized team activities.
“He had a huge transition to make, in terms of style of play and the detail that we ask tackles to play with. He had Terron Armstead in the building every day and he had a ton of veteran leadership within the room, and he really chopped wood each and every day. And I think you could see his big-vision scope.”
Paul, a physical specimen who still was a bit raw as a rookie out of Houston, understood the assignment when he was tasked with learning behind Armstead in 2024.
“Coming in last year, I had T-Stead in front of me, which I knew that coming in, that I was going to be the guy to go next and learn from him and have him as my mentor,” Paul said after Tuesday’s practice. “So this year is just different, coming in and trying to grow into that role and be the guy for this team. It’s been good. It’s a work in progress.”
Paul said he’s not feeling any pressure over the promotion and the spotlight, as pass protection in front of quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is of the utmost importance.
“I’m built for this,” Paul said. “Always been ready for this, and that’s why I play football, to compete at the highest level and to be the best at my job.”
Part of why Paul has that confidence is Armstead has reassured him that he himself believes he’s ready for the moment. Those words resonate for a youngster when they come from a respected player with a decorated career who still has been around the team this offseason in OTAs.
Paul didn’t merely ride the bench all of 2024, either. Playing behind the oft-injured Armstead, he started three games and was inserted into some others when Armstead exited early.
And then there’s the way Paul has attacked the offseason. Even before the team got back together for official offseason workouts, Paul was staying in Miami, often in the facility, taking advantage of every day he has ahead of the 2025 season.
“He’s been really consistent in his training, which is really good for a young player,” said Jackson, who is returning at right tackle from last year’s knee injury. “And especially for him, 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.”
Paul is now down to 320 pounds, he said. He has recently been listed at 332 pounds.
McDaniel said he has seen Paul surprise defensive veterans with his blocking in team drills.
“What I’m pumped about is that he’s actually focusing on the part to grow,” McDaniel said. “You can tell a person’s vision of what they want to be — are they high-fiving themselves because they had a couple good plays or are they focused on ‘yeah, I did those things good the day before; who cares? Let me focus on what I can get better at, and that’s what I see on the daily from him.”
What might be catching those defenders by surprise?
“Maybe the speed for how big I am,” Paul said. “That might throw people off. You know, you see someone who’s 6-7, a lot of weight coming at you, you might be shocked.”
Paul was already lauded for his athleticism at his size when he was a draft prospect, and that should only be amplified as he has slimmed down.
“Just keep fine-tuning, get my six-pack ready for the season and just keep on keeping on,” Paul quipped.