Patrick Paul talks draft process: I wanted to be coached by Mike McDaniel and Butch Barry

Patrick Paul knew early in the draft process that he wanted to play for Mike McDaniel and the Miami Dolphins.

The Miami Dolphins got much bigger on the offensive line by selecting 6-7, 331-pound tackle Patrick Paul in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft. Paul started 25 games at left tackle and was a team captain for the last two years at Houston.

Paul was named first-team All-Big 12 after allowing just one sack his senior season. He carried that momentum into a strong showing at the Senior Bowl, where he met Dolphins general manager Chris Grier.

“I remember talking to Chris at the Senior Bowl and it was a great conversation that me and him had. Then just moving on forward at the Combine,” Paul said Friday.

He met coach Mike McDaniel at the NFL Combine and had a strong interview during his 30-visit with the franchise.

“It was amazing,” Paul said. “Really getting to spend that much time with them, I knew that I wanted to be coached by coach McDaniel and [offensive line] coach Butch Barry and it was amazing.

“It was something I knew from the minute I started talking to them that I wanted to be a Miami Dolphin, so this is a blessing.”

Paul becomes the first offensive lineman drafted by Miami in the second round since Liam Eichenberg in 2021. He’ll slide in behind Terron Armstead on the depth chart after 44 career starts at left tackle for the Cougars.

“I met him about two years ago at an O-Line Masterminds,” Paul said. “He’s been a master at his craft for a very long time, so I’m excited to get in there and get in that o-line room and learn from him.”

While Paul might not start on opening day, remember that the Dolphins struggled with injuries last season. Nine offensive linemen played at least 35 percent of the team’s snaps. So, when December rolls around and Miami is desperate for a win, the best ability will be availability.

“I’m going to bring a resilient player who is a great teammate,” Paul said. “Someone who handles business in the locker room, outside the locker room, outside of the facility.

“Someone who is going to come every day with the same mindset and that’s to work and that’s to compete every day and be a great teammate. I’m going to bring it every day and hope to end my career with the Miami Dolphins, so that’s the goal.”