Offensive tackle rocketed to the top of the Miami Dolphins' very-early, pre-Christmas wish list in the wake of the retirement of Pro Bowl tackle, Terron Armstead.
Whilst the team have last year's second round pick, Patrick Paul, as the current fill-in at the position, he did not show immediately strong return-on-investment, producing a 44.9 PFF grade in 3 starts as a rookie last season.
Few players live and die by their rookie seasons, particularly those playing complex roles like tackle. And with almost all ready-to-start tackles normally taken within the first round of the draft, at #55 Paul was always considered somewhat of a longer term investment.
But according to Doug Farrar of Athlon Sports, the Dolphins could well decide to move forward with new face at left tackle if the right player falls to them. In his latest mock draft, he predicts that Miami will select Missouri tackle, Armand Membou; who he has falling to #13.
"The Dolphins' offensive line was already a problem before left tackle Terron Armstead announced his retirement on April 5; now it's a really big deal as Mike McDaniel's team tries to recover from a disappointing 8-9 season in 2024." Farrar writes, "Membou, who allowed three sacks, no quarterback hits, and 23 quarterback hurries in 1,036 pass-blocking snaps for the Tigers over three seasons, has the tools to kick over to the left side, so that's a contingency if Patrick Paul doesn't work out as Armstead's replacement."
Paul could turn into a viable starter like fellow 2024 second rounder, Roger Rosengarten, who took the starting job with the Baltimore Ravens at the season's outset and looked like a legitimate RT1 by the end of the year.
However, at a position of such value - particularly given quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa's struggle with injury over the past few years, the Dolphins could well decide it is not worth the risk if a player of Membou's talent is still around when the get on the clock next week.
