{"id":184970,"date":"2024-08-13T10:00:33","date_gmt":"2024-08-13T14:00:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/?p=184970"},"modified":"2024-08-12T10:51:20","modified_gmt":"2024-08-12T14:51:20","slug":"dolphins-rookie-tackle-shines-hope-for-injured-offensive-line","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2024\/08\/13\/dolphins-rookie-tackle-shines-hope-for-injured-offensive-line\/","title":{"rendered":"Dolphins Rookie Tackle Shines Hope for Injured Offensive Line"},"content":{"rendered":"

Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker Arnold Ebiketie isn\u2019t the type of guy you can just \u2018control\u2019. The 6-foot-2-inch, 250 lbs pass rusher has spent his entire NFL career as a usual face on gameday. Ebiketie has played in 33 games and recorded 8.5 sacks throughout the past two years. <\/span>However, throughout the Aug. 9 preseason game against the Miami Dolphins \u2014 and two joint practices \u2014 he couldn\u2019t get past a rookie. Specifically, the mountain of offensive tackle, Miami Dolphins Patrick Paul. The Houston alum has yet to allow a single sack this preseason, and people are taking notice. Especially in an offensive line in trouble.<\/span><\/p>\n

Dolphins Rookie Tackle Shines Hope for Injured Offensive Line<\/h2>\n

Paul\u2019s Impact on the Field Early<\/h3>\n

Paul entered training camp as the Dolphins\u2019 second-round selection from the 2024 NFL Draft. The 6-foot-7-inch lineman is no joke. Paul played his entire four-year collegiate career as the starting left tackle under a Houston teams RPO-heavy, balanced run scheme. The tall and large frame of Paul allowed him the capabilities to thrive against some of the elite pass rushers from the college level.<\/span><\/p>\n

Weighing in at a healthy 332 lbs, Paul can stop defensive lineman and angle them with a flip of a hip. This has made a lot of room for running backs throughout training camp and Miami\u2019s 20-13 preseason opener win. Speedsters such as rookie running back <\/span>Jaylen Wright<\/span><\/a> were able to have successful runs due to Paul\u2019s blocking on the left.<\/span><\/p>\n

Some other strengths from the rookie left tackle are excellent length, strong hands to latch onto defenders and good athletic ability to get to landmarks in pass protection, according to <\/span>Bleacher Report Scouting Department<\/span><\/a>. Even though there is a lot to boast, Paul still has some negative takeaways from training camp.<\/span><\/p>\n

Rookies are expected to develop gradually in their game on the professional level. This is the case for Paul as he still needs some time adapting to the speed of his opponents. The former Houston captain struggled to match fenders when pass rushers used hand techniques to blow by him. This flaw, however, will be one of the small things needed to be fixed.<\/span><\/p>\n

McDaniel, Thompson Taking Notice<\/h3>\n

Paul played deep into the fourth quarter in Miami\u2019s first preseason game against Atlanta. Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel wanted to see how the rookie would respond during the game. McDaniel was comfortable with it, <\/span>he said<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI thought he had some real good opportunities to learn,\u201d McDaniel said. \u201cI thought he played fast and physical. So, there\u2019s some good stuff there.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Paul\u2019s physical play allowed quarterback Skylar Thompson to provide the offense success in the first half of the game. The third-year game manager threw for 95 yards, an interception and a touchdown in Miami\u2019s victory over Atlanta. Thompson said it was good that Paul got his reps in a non-practice setting. The moment allowed the offensive tackle to lean back on his work\u00a0 camp, <\/span>Thompson said.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n