​The Miami Dolphins are banking on a surge of young, unpolished talent to lead the team during the 2026 NFL season after parting ways with a substantial number of veterans earlier in the year. Among the biggest, most physically imposing contributors they’re counting on is their starting left tackle, Patrick Paul. Drafted in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft, Paul was initially viewed as a promising project rather than a sure-thing breakout star. Fast forward to his second NFL season in 2025, and the 6’7” lineman stepped into the Dolphins’ starting lineup following the retirement of former starter Terron Armstead. While expectations were tempered by his youth, Paul’s performance surprised many—in a very favorable way.
On Wednesday, ESPN published a list curated by Ben Solak listing each NFL team’s most likely breakout candidate, and Paul was named as the Dolphins’ breakout prospect. Solak wrote that “the league is as loaded with ascendant young offensive tackles as I can remember,” and he places Paul at the forefront of that group. He noted Paul’s length and ranginess, praising how smoothly Paul moved in the quick-footed, zone-heavy blocking schemes that characterize Mike McDaniel’s offense. Solak also predicted that Paul should adapt well under the Dolphins’ new coordinator, Bobby Slowik, whose preferred wide-zone approach should suit Paul’s skill set and physical toolkit. The praise from Solak underscores the high ceiling many analysts see for Paul and for Miami’s developing offensive line.
That kind of external praise is meaningful, especially when it is paired with a tangible alignment of talent and opportunity. Solak highlighted that Paul would line up next to Kadyn Proctor, the first-round pick charged with moving inside from tackle to left guard to fill a crucial interior role on the line. The plan suggests a long-term outlook for the Dolphins’ front five: with center Aaron Brewer entering a long-term contract, the left side of the line appears to be stabilized for the foreseeable future if Proctor’s adjustment pays off. On the right side, Austin Jackson and Jonah Savaiinaea provide veteran depth and continuity, creating a potential strength on the trenches that could reshape how opponents game-plan against Miami. If Proctor settles in smoothly, and Paul continues to develop at left tackle, the Dolphins’ offensive front could emerge as a reliable foundation—even amid a broader rebuilding phase.
As with any projection, the difference between potential and performance remains real. The true test will be how Miami’s offensive line translates promise into production across the 2026 season. Will Patrick Paul’s development continue on an upward trajectory, cementing his role as a cornerstone left tackle? Can Kadyn Proctor settle into his interior duties and complement Paul on the edge with consistency? Will the rest of the line—center, guards, and the right tackle duo—mesh well enough to transform a previously stagnant unit into a genuine strength for the Dolphins? These questions will shape Miami’s fate up front.
The broader storyline is clear: the Dolphins are intentionally betting on youth and growth along the offensive line to carry the team through 2026. With Paul anchoring the left tackle spot, Proctor shifting inside, and a mix of capable veterans and promising youngsters surrounding them, Miami aims to cultivate a cohesive, resilient front five. If this group can translate potential into steady run blocking, pass protection, and the versatility to adapt to Bobby Slowik’s zone-centric blocking schemes, the Dolphins could turn what was once a sore spot for the roster into a distinctive advantage. The path to elevated performance is not guaranteed, but the early indications—from Solak’s breakout projection to the structural tweaks across the line—point toward a noteworthy transformation of Miami’s trenches in the 2026 season.