‘He’s a humongous human’: Dolphins rookie Paul impresses with size, poise in pro debut

Calm. Fast. Physical.

All words used to describe Dolphins rookie Patrick Paul after he made his pro debut, and played significant snaps, on Friday during Miami’s 20-13 win over the Falcons in its preseason opener.

Both quarterbacks who played - Skylar Thompson and Mike White - also had similar comments about Paul’s size.

“He’s a humongous human,” White said.

“He’s a large human being,” Thompson said.

At 6-7, 331 pounds, Paul brought an impressive physical presence to the Dolphins’ offensive line while lining up at left tackle for 63 snaps in Friday’s game.

Paul played into the fourth quarter and was one of several Dolphins rookies who stood out in the exhibition that saw numerous would-be starters sit out.

Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel said the plan was to have Paul play into the second half, but said offensive line coach Butch Barry felt comfortable leaving him in a bit longer.

“I thought he had some real good opportunities to learn, and I thought he played fast and physical,” McDaniel said. “There was some good stuff there.”

It was valuable experience the Dolphins hope Paul, their second-round pick out of the University of Houston, continues to gain as he takes more reps with Miami keeping veteran Terron Armstead on a rest schedule until the regular season.

“It felt good. Definitely a dream come true to put on that aqua and orange,” Paul said after the game. “I have dreamed of this moment and it’s finally here. It was great.”

Paul, who also had five special teams snaps, had a strong performance albeit against a Falcons’ squad which also rested projected defensive starters.

But it was a welcome icebreaker for a player the Dolphins might have to count on at some point this season considering Armstead’s frequent injury history in recent years.

“You definitely go out there and I haven’t played in an actual game since college. It’s a welcome to the NFL moment,” Paul said. “You just got to go out there and have fun with it.

“There are moments in it where you just go out there and you just realize ‘yeah I can do this, this is what I’m made for.’ I’ve had those moments.”

Both White and Thompson regarded Paul’s immediate poise in game situations despite being a 22-year-old rookie playing his first NFL game of any kind.

“I think what I liked about ‘Pat’ too was his demeanor on the field, he was very calm, the moment didn’t seem too big for him,” White said. “I’m sure he was gassed because he played damn near the whole game, and we practice and it’s hot and all that, but nothing compares to the game…I didn’t have to tell him what we were running, he broke the huddle and got to the line, good communication at the line of scrimmage.”

MORE ROOKIES SHINE

▪ Running back Jaylen Wright, the Dolphins’ fourth-round pick out of Tennessee, took advantage of some of Paul’s solid blocking during his own stellar debut.

Wright finished with 55 yards and a touchdown on 10 carries and showed his speed and quickness in the open field and running through tackles.

His one mistake though came after his first NFL score - he chucked the ball high into the stands instead of keeping it.

“It was excitement, man,” Wright said. “That’s something I always wanted to do. So I just threw it. But I regret it now.”

With De’Von Achane and Raheem Mostert each resting on Friday, Jeff Wilson Jr. saw some of the early work out of the backfield. But once Wright got his chance, he seized it.

Wright’s first NFL score came after he shot through a hole and ran practically untouched into the end zone for a 6-yard touchdown in the second quarter.

Wright showed his elusiveness on what could have resulted in a broken play in the third quarter when he took a screen pass from White and bobbled it for a split second behind the line of scrimmage. The Falcons appeared to have the play bottled up before Wright reversed field and streaked to the opposite side of the field for a 14-yard gain and a first down.

Wright said he was wearing a visor on his helmet, which he does not do in practice and said he probably won’t again.

“I’m just like, ‘Man, I got to make a play,’” Wright said. “I saw the field was open, so I just went and took it and just ran as fast as I could, got the first down.”

▪ Cornerback Patrick McMorris, Miami’s sixth-round pick from California, led the Dolphins with eight tackles including two for loss and broke up a pass. McMorris played 36 snaps on defense and 14 on special teams.

▪ Wide receiver Malik Washington, a sixth-rounder from Virginia, showed off his speed on a 21-yard end around play the team often runs with Tyreek Hill. But he also muffed a punt in the first quarter.

▪ Undrafted cornerback Storm Duck played 53 snaps on defense and 21 on special teams, finishing with three tackles and a pass breakup on a deep pass by Taylor Heinicke late in the second quarter.