When longtime Dolphins left tackle Terron Armstead officially retired in April, all eyes turned to second-year lineman Patrick Paul — the man expected to step into his shoes.
At his retirement party, Armstead expressed full confidence in Paul’s ability to take over.
“Pat Paul will do his part. I promise you that. He’ll do his part,” Armstead said. “He will work his butt off. He’s going to use his talents and his abilities, his strengths. Everything that happens after that is going to be out of his control.”
Miami drafted Paul in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft knowing Armstead still had three years left on his deal. But with Armstead now stepping away, Paul is getting his chance sooner than expected.
Coaches See Growth
Though Paul made just three starts as a rookie, head coach Mike McDaniel believes the 6-foot-7, 320-pound tackle earned the right to lead the offensive line.
“I think for one, he epitomizes a player that didn’t waste his rookie season,” McDaniel said. “He had a huge transition to make in terms of style of play and kind of really the detail that we ask tackles to play with, and he had Terron Armstead in the building every day. He had a ton of veteran leadership within the room, and he really chopped wood each and every day.
“I see him doing things every day in individual [drills] that are top-tier things. I see him in group work do some things that I think some of the defensive players are surprised by, and then I see room for growth every day.”
Transforming for Year 2
Paul has taken full advantage of the offseason. He dropped 10 pounds from his rookie playing weight and spent time getting more familiar with Miami, the team’s training facility, and his role.
“I think I just matured in my game. That just comes with time,” Paul said “I think [playing] offensive line is hard, and as you go day by day, you’re just going to keep fine-tuning your skills and one day it’s just going to click. I think that everything that we do out here day by day is just going to start getting easier, and I think I’ve reached that point where I know what it is, I know what to expect from me and I know how to do it.”
He now feels more confident, saying he knows what to expect from himself and how to approach his job.
Learning from a Pro Bowl Mentor
Armstead may be retired, but he hasn’t disappeared. Paul said the veteran left tackle has stayed involved and continues to support him during the transition.
Having that guidance, even after retirement, has helped Paul stay focused on the bigger picture.
Pressure to Perform
The Dolphins’ offensive line struggled in 2023, ranking 28th in pass block win rate and 26th in run block win rate. General manager Chris Grier promised to improve the unit and followed through, signing free agents Larry Borom and James Daniels while drafting guard Jonah Savaiinaea in the second round.
Still, Grier made it clear — left tackle belongs to Paul.
Despite the added expectations, Paul isn’t fazed.
“No, not really. I’m built for this,” he said. “Always been ready for the moment, and that’s why I play football — to compete at the highest level and to be the best at my job, so I’m ready.”
