- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 1,242,549
- Reaction score
- 59
You must be registered for see images attach
Miami Dolphins offensive tackle Patrick Paul (52) and guard Kadyn Proctor (2-R) stretch at training camp Friday at the Baptist Health Training Complex in Miami Gardens, Fla. Photo by Alex Butler/UPI
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla., July 31 (UPI) -- Rookie Kadyn Proctor is gaining valuable knowledge from Patrick Paul and the Miami Dolphins' offensive line, which boasts the AFC's largest left side.
Proctor and Paul are both listed at 6-foot-7 and weigh in at a total 678 pounds. Paul, who lined up as the Dolphins' left tackle last season, and his mentee, the No. 12 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, have nearly blocked out the sizzling South Florida sun with their sheer volume at training camp, providing protection while creating rushing lanes.
Proctor is not only mimicking Paul, center Aaron Brewer and other veterans' movements. His eyes also are on their habits.
"They're out there doing their job, and in the film room, like you see their notebook, just notes and notes and notes on the film," Proctor said Friday at training camp in Miami Gardens, Fla.
"The preparation that you have to put into this is what I've been seeing from them."
Proctor, who played tackle at Alabama, said his work at guard will aid future development to play his original position in the NFL. He seeks to cultivate abilities to play with confidence at all five positions along the offensive line.
"We're competing every day, and if I'm not doing my one-eleventh, then nobody's going to get better," Proctor said.
"Like, I got to push [defensive tackle] Zach Sieler, too, even though I'm 21 years old, young or whatever, like I still have to push him. He has to get better, too. So I got to raise my level of play."
In the meantime, the 352-pound Proctor is preparing his body for South Florida's harsh summers by drinking more than 2 gallons of liquid on a daily basis.
Miami's thirst to dominate on the line of scrimmage is apparent.
Pro Football Focus rated the Dolphins' offensive line No. 29 out of 32 NFL teams last season, citing weaknesses at left guard and right guard. Right tackle Austin Jackson and right guard Jonah Savaiinaea are to join Paul and Brewer as returning starters, alongside the rookie.
Brewer, who received a $52.5 million contract extension this off-season, is impressed with what he's seen from Proctor so far.
"He's big, he's fast and he's aggressive," Brewer said. "As an offensive lineman, that's what you want out of him. And so with him, I'm just trying to keep pushing him and just allow him to know like it's more and just have him, like not competing with what he see every day out here.
"Like, there's more to the league. It's 32 teams and there's plenty of great defensive linemen out there. So, I want him to be prepared for when he's going against the bottom of the bottom and the best of the best.
"I want him to be the best player he can be. I want him to be the No. 1 guard in the league. And so, that's my goal. That's my attitude with him every day."
Brewer and Dolphins players observed a culture shift under new general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan and coach Jeff Hafley, who want to inject physicality into their system. They also showed their desire to win in the trenches by spending major draft capital on Proctor, the third offensive linemen they drafted in the first two rounds in three years, and committing to Brewer.
"I use them as like my shield, you know what I mean," Dolphins running back Jaylen Wright said of Paul and Proctor. "I love to be behind those big boys."
The increased mass also has led to more preparation for the Dolphins' defensive line cast fighting for playing spots. At about 1,609 pounds, the Dolphins' projected starting offensive line weighs more than every AFC East unit to start last season.
Philadelphia Eagles tackle Jordan Mailata (365 pounds) and guard Landon Dickerson (332) were the only left side heavier (697) than the Dolphins' Paul-Proctor combination. The Dolphins' overall offensive line weight of 1,609 this off-season was surpassed by just five NFL teams in Week 1 of 2025.
With improved size and experience, star rusher De'Von Achane, Wright and the Dolphins stable of running backs could be in for bigger gaps. The major mass also could aid new Dolphins quarterback Malik Willis in finding a rhythm.
"I think for them, it's going to be a big wall in their face, and then as soon as they see daylight, they just got to hit it," Paul said.
Continue reading...
