Solid Starter
Patrick Paul, OT, Houston – Round 2 
The Dolphins entered the offseason needing some depth at the offensive tackle position. Veteran starters Terron Armstead and Austin Jackson both have dealt with injuries in their career, so adding a talented backup was a necessity. Miami was reached into a deep class of tackles to take Paul in the second round and he has the athletic potential to become a quality starter.
As a pass blocker, Paul (6-7, 333) is a massive blocker with height, length, and quick enough feet that make it difficult for edge rushers to run around. For a massive edge protector, Paul has quality feet and length to neutralize speed rushes with an impressive ability to get depth in his drop. He does a nice job of keeping his feet moving and can play the typewriter while gliding with edge rushers.
Entering the NFL, Paul is a better pass protector than run blocker but he has issues to clean up in protection. Paul exposes his chest too much and can play too high. That makes him susceptible to getting walked back into the quarterback by speed to power rushes and bull rushes. Paul needs to improve his hand placement, ability to bend at the knee, sink his weight, and not expose his chest.
In the ground game, Paul needs improvement for the NFL as he is not powerful despite being so massive. Paul ties up and stalls defenders with his size and length, but he is not a bull that will blast linemen off the ball. Paul would fit best in a zone-blocking scheme for the NFL, and fortunately, that makes him a good fit in Miami.
Armstead seemed to flirt with retirement this offseason, so Miami was wise to draft a tackle that they can get ready to be the eventual starter to go with Jackson. Jackson could switch to left tackle and Paul move into the right tackle spot when that time comes. While Paul may not become a world beater, I think he could be a solid starter for Miami in a year or two.
2023: Cam Smith, CB
2022: Channing Tindall, LB
2021: Jevon Holland, S
2020: Noah Igbinoghene, CB
2019: Michael Deiter, G
2018: Jerome Baker, LB
2017: Raekwon McMillan, LB
2016: Xavien Howard, CB
2015: DeVante Parker, WR
2014: JaWuan James, OT
2013: Dallas Thomas, G
Most Likely To Bust
NONE
The Dolphins were without a third-round pick. I think Chop Robinson and Patrick Paul will be at least solid starters during their pro career.
2023: None
2022: None
2021: Hunter Long, TE
2020: Brandon Jones, S
2019: Andrew Van Ginkel, LB
2018: Mike Gesicki, TE
2017: Cordrea Tankersley, CB
2016: Leonte Carroo, WR
2015: Bobby McCain, CB
2014: Billy Turner, G
2013: Jelani Jenkins, LB
Potential Boom Pick
Chop Robinson, OLB, Penn State – Round 1 
The Dolphins entered the offseason in a difficult spot with the edge rusher position. Talented veterans Jaelen Phillips and Bradley Chubb are coming off serious injuries and their timetable to play in 2024 was not clear. Miami signed veteran Shaq Barrett in free agency to provide depth, but they found a long-term solution for a rusher to go with Phillips by selecting Robinson in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft.
There is no doubt Robinson (6-3, 250) is a dangerous pass rusher off the edge. He is fast with a quick first step to get upfield and the ability to accelerate around the corner. To go along with his being fast, Robinson is very bendy with no hint of stiffness. He can get low to duck underneath tackles as Robinson is very athletic showing the skills to sink his hips and redirect. With his speed and fluidity, offensive tackles are in trouble when there is space for Robinson to work with as he is adept at dodging blockers. As a pro, Robinson could be a dangerous edge rusher and quarterback hunter with the sheer speed to blow by tackles around the corner.
While Robinson is an effective rusher, he has problems as a run defender for the NFL. Robinson is undersized as he lacks the typical height and weight to be a pro edge defender. In the ground game, Robinson can get covered up and pushed around. He also is not very physical as a defender and needs to get stronger to take on pro offensive linemen. Miami is a great situation for Robinson to develop as he can be used as a designated pass rusher early in his career while he works to get better against the run in practice. Robinson can rotate with Barrett and Chubb as he develops.
I had some reservations about Robinson as a player for the NFL given his size and limitations as a run defender. However, Miami was a great landing spot to help him develop. In the long run, I could see Robinson being a dangerous pass rusher across from Phillips with the two of them helping each other to produce significant sack production. With Robinson’s speed off the edge, he could be a boom pick for Miami.
2023: None
2022: None
2021: Jaelan Phillips, DE
2020: Austin Jackson, OT
2019: Christian Wilkins, DT
2018: Minkah Fitzpatrick, S
2017: Charles Harris, DE
2016: Laremy Tunsil, OT
2015: Jordan Phillips, DT
2014: Jarvis Landry, WR
2013: Dion Jordan, LB
Future Depth Player
Mohamed Kamara, OLB, Colorado State – Round 5 
When they selected Chop Robinson, the Dolphins added their long-term edge rush starter to go with Jaelen Phillips. On the third day of the draft, Miami added another good college pass rusher in Kamara. Kamara was a sack machine at Colorado State with a lot of production illustrating his ability to get after the quarterback. Kamara is small and lacks size to be a starter in the NFL. However, he could be a good backup that plays as a designated pass rusher to rotate into the game. That could help to keep Robinson and Phillips fresh and healthy. In a DPR role, Kamara could be a valuable backup as a pro. He was a nice value selection for Miami on the final day of the 2024 NFL Draft.
2023: Devon Achane, RB
2022: Rik Ezukanma, WR
2021: Liam Eichenberg, OT
2020: Jason Strowbridge, DE
2019: Isaiah Prince, OT
2018: Kalen Ballade, RB
2017: Davon Godchaux, DT
2016: Kenyon Drake, RB
2015: Jay Ajayi, RB
2014: Arthur Lynch, TE
2013: Mike Gillislee, RB
