Can Patrick Paul Fill the Void Left by Terron Armstead?
Can Patrick Paul Fill the Void Left by Terron Armstead?
Terron Armstead officially closed the chapter on his illustrious NFL career, announcing his retirement at a party in Miami surrounded by teammates past and present. For the Dolphins, Armstead’s departure is a significant loss — both for his dominance on the field and his invaluable leadership off it. However, there’s optimism that the franchise already has a successor in place.
That hope lies in Patrick Paul, the towering 6-foot-8, 330-pound offensive lineman out of Houston, whom Miami selected in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft. Paul spent much of his rookie season learning behind Armstead, gaining valuable experience and mentorship. While raw in some areas, Paul’s immense physical tools and growth potential have positioned him as Miami’s candidate to anchor the blindside for years to come.
Armstead himself had high praise for Paul during his retirement celebration, offering an endorsement that should excite Dolphins fans.
“He’s the guy,” Armstead said. “It’s his time. He knows it. He’ll be ready. He’s a worker. He’s talented. You put those two together, you’ll have success. Don’t know exactly how his career will play out. Everything plays a part. Patrick Paul will do his part. He’ll work his butt off. He’s going to use his talents, abilities, his strengths, and everything that happens after that, will be out of his control. Everything he can control; he’s going to do his part.”
Paul was in attendance at the event, a sign of the close bond he and Armstead forged during their year together. The respect between the two was evident, and it speaks volumes that the veteran left tackle would publicly anoint Paul as his heir apparent.
Paul’s rookie season wasn’t without its challenges. According to Pro Football Focus, he allowed three sacks in his three starts — a number that, while not ideal, deserves proper context. Much of Paul’s early play came amidst turbulence on the Dolphins’ offensive line and without the presence of starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. The lack of continuity and overall line struggles exposed flaws, particularly in pass protection against speed rushers and in generating push in the run game.
Still, signs of growth were evident as the season progressed. Offensive coordinator Frank Smith acknowledged Paul’s steady development back in January:
“Each week, he’s been able to keep building, getting better in pass protection and with his run fundamentals,” Smith said. “So it’s a guy who is really using his time to grow, and we’re excited about him really short term and long term.”
Paul’s frame and athletic profile give him rare upside. He moves well for his size, showing nimble feet and the ability to mirror pass rushers. His length alone makes it difficult for defenders to get around him, and with continued technical refinement — particularly with hand placement and leverage — he has the tools to evolve into a cornerstone left tackle.
That belief is shared by Dolphins general manager Chris Grier, who offered a confident evaluation of his young lineman.
“Adding Patrick Paul, we feel that he’s going to be a good player,” Grier said.
The next step for Paul will be refining his run-blocking technique. While his size and power are undeniable, his pad level and drive off the line remain areas for improvement. Pairing Paul with a more athletic left guard could go a long way toward maximizing his strengths and stabilizing the left side of the Dolphins’ line.
Ultimately, the Dolphins understand that replacing a player of Armstead’s caliber is no small task. But with the veteran’s mentorship, the coaching staff’s belief, and Paul’s relentless work ethic, Miami has reason to be optimistic about the future of their offensive line.
