Miami Dolphins Select Tackle Patrick Paul With Mixed Draft Grade Reviews
ICARO Media Group
The Miami Dolphins' decision to pick University of Houston left tackle Patrick Paul in the second round of the NFL Draft has garnered a range of reactions from experts. While some view it as a solid choice that addresses a need on the offensive line, others have expressed concerns about Paul's mobility and overall development.
Charles McDonald from Yahoo Sports praised the Dolphins for adding a potential decade-long starter in Paul, highlighting his impressive physical attributes and potential to excel in the NFL. McDonald's grade for the selection was an A.
Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz of USA Today saw Paul as a pass protector with room for growth and believed that learning from veteran Terron Armstead would greatly benefit him. Middlehurst-Schwartz gave the pick a B grade.
However, Chris Trapasso from CBS Sports viewed Paul as an odd fit for the Dolphins' system due to his lack of mobility, which contradicts the team's preference for athletic linemen. Despite acknowledging Paul's enormous size and experience, Trapasso rated the pick a C-.
On the other hand, The Athletic regarded the selection as a solid one with significant upside. They emphasized Paul's impressive college performance, where he started 44 games at left tackle and demonstrated the potential to succeed in the NFL. The Athletic awarded the Dolphins a B+ grade.
Vinnie Iyer of The Sporting News highlighted Paul's power but expressed concerns about his quickness and technique as a pass protector. Iyer considered him a project player behind Terron Armstead and Austin Jackson, giving the Dolphins a C grade for the pick.
Pro Football Network's Oliver Hodgkinson noted that offensive line was a clear need for the Dolphins, but Patrick Paul's selection came as a surprise, especially with other highly ranked tackles still available. Although Hodgkinson recognized Paul's physical attributes, he raised concerns about the time and development required for him to become a starter. The grade given by Hodgkinson was a C+.
The experts at Pro Football Focus focused on the importance of pass protection for quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and viewed Paul as a potential successor to Terron Armstead. They praised his length and movement skills, noting that he had the highest pass-blocking grade among all FBS tackles in 2023. PFF's evaluation resulted in an average grade.
Ian Valentino from The 33rd Team expressed disappointment in the Dolphins' decision not to choose a more athletic blocker that fits their zone running game. Valentino also highlighted the need for help at the guard position. He predicted that Paul would likely serve as a backup for this year. The grade given by Valentino was a C-.
Overall, the selection of Patrick Paul by the Miami Dolphins has drawn mixed reviews. While some experts see him as a promising tackle with an opportunity to become a long-term starter, others have concerns about his mobility and readiness for the NFL. Only time will tell if the Dolphins' decision proves to be a successful one.