Miami Dolphins' Mike McDaniel gives update at the NFL Combine that should shove young player into starting role at a crucial position
It appears as though the Miami Dolphins are moving forward as though they're not going to have a key part of their roster back for 2025 – although that last part still remains to be seen. Mike McDaniel met with the media at the NFL Combine on Tuesday and discussed a number of topics ranging […]
It appears as though the Miami Dolphins are moving forward as though they're not going to have a key part of their roster back for 2025 – although that last part still remains to be seen.
Mike McDaniel met with the media at the NFL Combine on Tuesday and discussed a number of topics ranging from the draft to free agency and his own roster.
The topic of left tackle Terron Armstead came up, and he responded that the team is moving forward as though they're not going to have him in 2025.
The news isn't too much of a surprise. Armstead has been as banged up as any player in the league not just during his time in Miami, but during his entire NFL career. Over his 12-year career, he's not managed to play in a full season once, with each one shortened by injury. In 2024, he gutted it out most Sundays after missing practice or getting in a limited practice on Friday.
It sounds as if that's taken its toll, and the Dolphins simply have to start preparing for life after Armstead. Next man up, as they say.
And that next man is 2024 second round pick Patrick Paul. The mammoth lineman got to see the field a good bit during his rookie season, totaling 337 snaps. 248 of those came in place of Armstead on the left side and 89 came at right tackle. A good bit of exposure early for the rookie, which came out of necessity with Armstead, Austin Jackson, and Kendall Lamm all dealing with injuries.
Now, absent a move in the draft or free agency – or absent a belated return from Armstead that the team doesn't appear to expect to happen – the 6'7" Paul is going to step into a key role of protecting Tua Tagovailoa in 2025. He showed flashes of his potential, but he'll need to be more consistent as a full-time starter.
We'll see if things change as the offseason progresses, but as of now, it looks like the Dolphins' 2024 second rounder is about to get dropped right into the deep end.
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