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By Rowan Fisher-Shotton
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Malik Washington could seamlessly step in for Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle as the Miami Dolphins' top receiving threat.
Tight end Greg Dulcich could walk away as Malik Willis' most reliable target. Chop Robinson could evolve into a Pro Bowler. But the safest bet right now feels like Patrick Paul finally breaking out to become what the team drafted him to be two years ago.
Paul was selected in the second round (No. 55 overall) of the 2024 draft, but struggled badly as a rookie, managing just 337 snaps (30%) in three starts over 17 games, looking overwhelmed at the right tackle spot.
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Then five-time Pro Bowler Terron Armstead retired, and Paul was handed the keys to Tua Tagovailoa's blindside, moving back to his natural left tackle spot in 2025. The results were immediate. He allowed just four sacks and two quarterback hits across 17 starts, posting an overall PFF grade of 66.2 (45th among qualified tackles) and a pass blocking grade of 74.4 (28th).
He wasn't perfect — he was flagged for eight penalties, including six false starts — but the level of improvement was notable, setting up what should be a true breakout in 2026.
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Miami's offensive line around Paul is still very much a work in progress — Austin Jackson and Jonah Savaiinaea both struggled last season, Aaron Brewer anchors the middle, and rookie first-rounder Kadyn Proctor now enters the mix as well.
They moved on from several veterans, and Paul is going to need to keep Willis upright this season if this team wants to have any success.
Beyond that, new offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik also runs a West Coast offensive scheme that emphasizes wide-zone runs, which many experts have noted should play to Paul's athletic strengths in the run game. NFL.com's Bucky Brooks even placed him on his All-Breakout team, saying he's expected to "play at a Pro Bowl level."
Dolphins training camp kicks off on Tuesday, July 28, at the Baptist Health Training Complex in Miami Gardens, Florida. Heading into camp, the storyline to watch is whether Paul can carry his surge from last season into a full, dominant year three in Miami.
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