If all goes according to plan, Miami Dolphins rookie offensive tackle Patrick Paul probably won’t see the field much in 2024. The mammoth second-round pick will presumably be behind starters Terron Armstead and Austin Jackson on the depth chart, as well as veteran backup Kendall Lamm.
So there isn’t much reason for consternation and hand-wringing about Paul’s inconsistent start to his first training camp with the Dolphins. Instead, Armstead and Lamm say there’s plenty of reason to be optimistic about the 6’8 rookie’s future.
“You see the talent; you see the flashes,” Armstead told reporters Tuesday. “Things that he needs to learn and work on, which of course, but I like where he’s at mentally. He’s tough, he’s physical, strong, he’s huge. His ability to move and mirror, stay in front of guys to finish a play has been impressive.
“I like him a lot, I like him a lot. He’s going to be a really good player for a long time. We just got to keep working and fine-tuning some things techniques wise, mindset, a lot of pre-snap adjustments that he can kind of learn from. But that will come with time and experience.”
🎥 Kendall Lamm on Patrick Paul: “[Paul] is going to be the real deal. That’s a mammoth of a man… one thing you’ll notice about Pat right away – intellectually gifted… Pat’s got some of the best length I’ve ever seen in my life.” (@MiamiDolphins) #GoFins pic.twitter.com/YfUSJkNDAQ
— FinsXtra (@FinsXtra) July 28, 2024
Paul may be asked to take over starting duties in 2025. Lamm is on a one-year contract and says that the upcoming season will be his “last ride.” Armstead has also contemplated retirement in recent years and the Dolphins could save $14.3 million by releasing the tackle with a post-June 1 designation next offseason.
For now, though, the Dolphins have plenty of reason to be patient and diligent with the development of Paul. And according to his teammates, the positive signs far out-weigh the negatives.
