Dolphins LT Patrick Paul shares team’s new offensive identity: ‘Maul people’
The Miami Dolphins are in the midst of an identity change.
Contrary to popular belief, the Dolphins drafted offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor No. 12 overall. They signed a dual-threat quarterback in Malik Willis. And they recently extended star running back De’Von Achane.
So what’s exactly the potential of the 2026 Dolphins offense come Week 1? Well, Patrick Paul delivered quite the evaluation.
“Maul people,” Paul said Wednesday afternoon. “Definitely move people, be obstructing and be a force for sure.”
In Paul and Proctor, the Dolphins have one of the biggest tackle-guard tandems in the league. That they’re banking on Proctor’s switch to left guard – in addition to 2025 second-round pick Jonah Savaiinaea’s pivot to the right side — prove that they’re also pivoting to run-first offense powered by Achane.
“We’re going to run the [expletive] out of the ball,” Proctor said on draft night, later expressing how “good” it’s going to feel blocking for Achane. “Knowing that you’re blocking for a guy that makes your job easier, you just sustain your block for as long as you can and give effort and have that grit and toughness. He’s going to make plays. He’s a great running back, fast as hell and I can’t wait to block for him.”
The Dolphins’ ideological shift didn’t just happen out of the blue. Spurned by the injury to wide receiver Tyreek Hill and Tua Tagovailoa’s rapidly declining arm strength, Miami began to lean heavily on Achane in 2025.
And the results were worthwhile to say the least. Not only did Achane receive his first Pro Bowl honors, he posted a league-leading 5.7 yards per carry to go along with 1,350 yards and eight touchdowns. He also added another 488 yards and three touchdowns through the air off of a team-high 67 receptions.
“De’Von is a really, really sharp individual,” offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik said, adding that “you really see that in the way he plays, the way he runs, how electric he is in space, how hard he is to tackle, how good he is in the pass game, how good he is in the screen game. I mean, he’s just a guy that can really do everything, and he does it all well.
“When you have a piece like that anywhere on the offense, it opens up a lot of doors, a whole lot of doors.”
Throw the fact that Willis, although arguably the most valuable option of the 2026 free agent class, remains a young quarterback and the run-first philosophy has merit. A star running back not only eases the pressure on the offense but a player of Achane’s caliber can also assist in the pass game, something even more necessary considering the state of the Dolphins’ receiving core.
“That dude’s a baller,” Willis said, praising Achane’s “versatility and explosiveness.” “I know y’all seen him on tape in the past. Since he got in the league, I think he’s been balling, so it’s awesome that he gets this opportunity. I’m glad he’s on my team.”
And while Dolphins fans might still be traumatized by a previous signal caller’s revelation that he couldn’t see behind his offensive line, have no fear. Willis, at the very least, won’t openly admit his shortcomings.
“That is a very nice problem to have — that some people want to maul some other people for you,” Willis said. “And I can see just fine. Just fine.”
As training camp draws closer and closer, the finer points of the offense will reveal themselves. What’s not immediately clear, however, is how the Dolphins plan to use Willis as a rusher. In his three starts over the last two seasons, the former Liberty standout rushed for 174 yards and three touchdowns on 21 carries.
Willis certainly possesses the skill set to be effective in the run game. And with Paul, Proctor and Achane on his side, the Dolphins could have an exceptional to have solid rushing attack.
This story was originally published May 20, 2026 at 2:53 PM.
