​The Miami Dolphins entered this season with one of the youngest rosters in the league, a consequence of parting ways with several veteran contributors over the offseason and ushering in new leadership from general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan and head coach Jeff Hafley. In the midst of a rebuild, Miami is placing its bets on younger players to step forward and deliver meaningful progress in the near term. Among those hopeful breakout candidates is Patrick Paul, who ESPN’s Benjamin Solak highlighted as the top breakout prospect for the Dolphins in their 2026 campaign.
Solak envisions Paul occupying a pivotal role on the left side of Miami’s offensive line, pairing with first-round pick Kadyn Proctor, who is transitioning from tackle to left guard. The veteran stability at center is already in place with Aaron Brewer, who signed a long-term extension, which Solak believes helps secure the entire left side of the line for years if Proctor can deliver. On the right side, Austin Jackson and Jonah Savaiinaea are anticipated to anchor the tackle spots, which could transform the Dolphins’ trenches into a potential strength even amid a rebuilding year.
Patrick Paul’s path to stardom has been gradual but notable. The Dolphins selected him in the second round of the 2024 NFL draft with the 55th overall pick, a pick intended to complement and eventually replace five-time Pro Bowler Terron Armstead. Paul had a modest rookie season in 2024, but he showed signs of improvement in 2025, when he posted a 66.2 overall grade from Pro Football Focus. That grade placed him 45th among 89 qualified offensive tackles, indicating that while there is room for growth, Paul demonstrated the capability to perform at a solid NFL level.
Paul’s trajectory this season is critical. It represents a make-or-break moment in which he must prove himself as a reliable mainstay on Miami’s line. If he can sustain or elevate his performance, he could emerge as a cornerstone of a Dolphins offensive line that the franchise hopes to build around for the foreseeable future. Conversely, if his development stalls or regresses, he could become a candidate for departure once the final year of his rookie contract in 2027 looms, and the team reassesses its long-term plans on the interior of the line.
The ongoing assessment of Paul’s development is part of a broader evaluation of how the Dolphins will navigate the balance between youth and experience on their offensive front. With Proctor, Brewer, and a solid pair of tackles in Jackson and Savaiinaea, the Dolphins believe they can establish a cohesive and formidable left-side framework. If Paul flourishes alongside Proctor and the rest of the unit, Miami’s offensive line could emerge as a substantive strength rather than a work-in-progress during this rebuilding period.
This analysis reflects ongoing reporting and commentary about the Dolphins’ offensive line and Patrick Paul’s potential breakout in 2026. It underscores the expectations placed on a young player to convert potential into production and to become a reliable contributor as the franchise looks to secure a more durable and productive interior line for the years ahead.