No matter what veteran left tackle Terron Armstead decides to do, Patrick Paul is hungry and looking to start for the MIami Dolphins in 2025 and beyond! #FinsUp
The Miami Dolphins have important decisions to make this offseason, but none bigger than Chris Grier’s decision to finally upgrade the offensive line. Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel reiterated that sentiment on Tuesday when he met with reporters at the 2025 NFL Combine in Indianapolis. Here’s what he said when asked about Miami’s offensive line and how the team plans to improve it this offseason.
“I’m excited because I think we have a tangible opportunity to improve; that starts in free agency with a couple of guys that we have targeted that you think you can get a deal done with them, and that continues into the draft. …it’s time for us to invest in that position and I’m excited to.”
However, one position Miami won’t shouldn’t have to worry about on the offensive line is at tackle.
On the right side, Austin Jackson will return from a season-ending meniscus injury. He will once again be tasked to protect Tua Tagovailoa’s blind side. And if we’re being honest, he’s taken a step in the right direction over the last few seasons. At left tackle, that’s where things get a bit tricky. As Marek wrote yesterday, Terron Armstead’s future in Miami is uncertain. If he plays, Miami will have a decision to make based on his salary in 2025. (Yes, he adjusted his current salary to the league veteran to give Miami some wiggle room, but I imagine that’s only temporary if he decides to return in ‘25.)
Patrick Paul is the other option and the most likely to be the Dolphins’ day-one starter at left tackle next season. The 2024 second-round draft pick (55th overall) participated in the 15th annual Dolphins Cancer Challenge this weekend and spoke to the Sun Sentinel about his offseason regime and how he’s approaching his sophomore season. (Spoiler Alert: He even lost some weight!)
“I’m working toward being a starter, and that’s all I’m focused on, is being the best version of myself this year,” Paul said. “I’ve been working on things that I saw weaknesses in during the draft process that was last year, and just fine-tuning myself,” he said. “Lost a lot of weight, double-digit pounds since the season’s been over. Been on a good diet, just learning from the older guys how to do the offseason properly, how to take care of your body. That’s what we’re doing.”
Credit: David Furones, Sun Sentinel
Armstead, 33, has been excellent for Miami — when he’s healthy and on the field. Unfortunately, he’s played — on average — 13 games a year throughout his remarkable 12-year career, but the Dolphins need more than that. Could Patrick Paul be the guy? He definitely showed signs of being the real deal last year, starting three games for Miami. But with such a small sample size, no one knows how this story ends.
Then again, if you’re Chris Grier and Mike McDaniel looking to make costly cuts (like DOGE), moving on from Armstead to see what Paul can do makes sense. After all, this coaching staff picked the massive Houston Cougar for a reason. The question, however, is how big of a dropoff Miami’s offensive line will see with the more inexperienced Paul in the lineup.
If he’s already working his @$$ off this offseason to get better, I trust that Butch Barry and Miami’s coaching staff can get the most out of Paul. And if not, they likely won’t be around to see how the story ends. It’s now or never. #InPatrickPaulWeTrust
What are your thoughts on Patrick Paul? Do you think he should get the opportunity to start in 2025? Or would you welcome back Terron Armstead with open arms, knowing that the Dolphins will need to call upon their young 6’8 left tackle at some point? Would you draft a tackle who can play guard with the 13th overall pick? Let us know in the comments section below!