INDIANAPOLIS – Patrick Paul reflects on his impressive body of work consisting of years of exploding out of his blocking stance and stonewalling and frustrating pass rushers.
For the University of Houston second-team All-American and first-team All-Big 12 left offensive tackle, the statistics tell a story as much as his imposing frame at 6-foot-7 1/2, 331 pounds with 36 1/4 arms, the longest of any NFL draft prospect, 5.13 speed in the 40-yard dash and having the highest pass blocking grade, a 91.5 mark, from Pro Football Focus.
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His pass protection is elite. The Jersey Village graduate allowed just three career sacks. And his 90.2 career pass blocking grade ranks fourth highest among the draft-eligible offensive linemen. Plus, Paul allowed just nine pressures ranking him ahead of all offensive lineman behind Notre Dame offensive tackle Joe Alt. He allowed just one sack last season in 469 pass blocking attempts.
“It’s something I harp on a lot being in the Air Raid offense, and pass protection is something I do at a very high level,” Paul told KPRC 2. “It’s very tough going against the players we have in our conference. It’s not easy, but the stats are there. Watch the tape, it never lies. They’re going to get an elite offensive tackle that’s going to come in and get ready to work and be dependable and grow in his craft. It’s surreal. It’s a dream come true. It’s a blessing.”
Now, Paul is poised to become the first Coogs offensive lineman to be selected in the top two rounds since Sebastian Vollmer went in the second round in 2009 to the New England Patriots. The last Houston offensive lineman to be drafted in the first round was Billy Milner.
“I think I’m going to go late first round; I think I’m one of the top 32,” Paul said. “I don’t think it past Thursday, but you never know how it has to do. Wherever I’m drafted, regardless of where I go, I’m going to go in and work. This is just the start of your journey. My goal is go in and become the starter by the time the first game rolls around. The mindset is always going to be the same.”
Paul visited multiple NFL teams, including the Dallas Cowboys, Cincinnati Bengals, Baltimore Ravens, New York Jets, New York Giants, Buffalo Bills and Indianapolis Colts, according to NFL sources.
INDIANAPOLIS -- #NFLCombine2024 @UHCougarFB All-Big-12 left tackle Patrick Paul @PatrickPaul_76 formal meetings #49ers #Bills #Bengals #Chiefs #Dolphins #Ravens #Browns #Titans #Panthers. Met informally with #Patriots met with #Texans @seniorbowl @JimNagy_SB @ErikBurkhardt… pic.twitter.com/VRf0qYGZJn
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) March 2, 2024
One of the biggest and strongest offensive linemen in the draft, Paul bench pressed 225 pounds 30 times at the combine.
Paul, a three-time first-team all-conference selection, was a team captain each of the past two seasons.
“In the locker room, they’re getting a dependable teammate who’s able to talk to everybody,” Paul said. “I’m someone who’s clean and reliable and disciplined. I’m not going to show up late. I will come in and work hard. Wherever I go I’m going to get involved immediately in the community and support that and put my roots down there and make an impact.
“I‘m going to be the first one in the building possibly, someone who’s dedicated to their craft, someone who’s going to work constantly to get better and improve and be a great leader in the offensive line room and be a hard-working player.”
Paul’s older brother, Chris Paul, plays for the Washington Commanders. He was drafted in the seventh round out of Tulsa two years ago.
“His insight has definitely been the most helpful,” Paul said. “He’s helped me every step of the way. He has that first-hand experience you need.”
Paul doesn’t set individual goals beyond starting, emphasizing a winning, team-first mentality.
“I definitely want to win as many Super Bowl as I can and play my role as best as I can and help the team win,” Paul said. “Pro Bowl would be nice, but not as much as winning the whole thing.’
At the NFL scouting combine, Paul met formally with the Kansas City Chiefs, San Francisco 49ers, Bills, Bengals, Miami Dolphins, Baltimore Ravens, Cleveland Browns, Tennessee Titans and Carolina Panthers and informally with the New England Patriots and hometown Texans.
“I just passed on my knowledge of the game and that I love the game of football,” Paul said. “It was about getting with them and letting them get to know me on a more personal level.”
“Most of the time, it’s not really feedback that you get, but they’re trying to understand the strengths and weaknesses and getting to know you and getting to know if you know the game of football and watching some tape and learn more about you.’
Paul showcased his blocking skills and athleticism at the Senior Bowl all-star game.
Requested for meetings with the entire NFL in Mobile, Ala., including meetings with New York Jets general manager Joe Douglas, Miami Dolphins general manager Chris Grier and conversations with Texans scouts, Paul has made a big impression with his combination of size, mobility, technique and upside.
“I’m a tenacious player,” Paul said. “I’m trying to make a name for myself. I just want to put my city on the map and my name on the map. I’m showing them how I see the game of football. The most important thing is I came out to compete and I know I’ve competed hard. The first day, I was rusty, and everyone was amped up and hadn’t put on pads since the season.
“I’m showing I love football and I’m ready to compete at the highest level. It has been really good. You’re down here and you see a bunch of players you’ve watched throughout the years. You’re finally here in a big environment with the best of the best, competing every day. It’s amazing.”
Paul has an 86 3/4″ wingspan and 9 3/8″ hands.
Paul significantly boosted his draft stock, according to league sources. Multiple NFL teams praised Paul for his size, attitude and emerging ability. He is regarded as a potential top 50 selection with projections anywhere from late first round to second round by most NFL personnel surveyed.
“I really like Patrick Paul,” an NFL executive said. “He’s a very big, very tough kid who has a great attitude. He’s smart. He can move and he’s got a nasty streak. I like him. He has helped himself this week.”
The meetings with the teams have left Paul encouraged with the feedback and interactions he’s had.
‘It was fun speaking with all of them,” said Paul, who is presented by Roc Nation Sports agents Erik Burkhardt and Leah Knight. “I didn’t feel that much pressure. I just was myself. I hope I left them all with a good mark.”
Paul grew up as a Texans fan and studies Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil, modeling his sets and hand movement after the highest paid offensive lineman in the game.
Yes, his meeting with the Texans was memorable for many reasons.
‘Hometown team, it was fun,” Paul said. “You could definitely feel the energy. The Texans went crazy this year.”
A 44-game starter, Paul’s goal: to become a first-round draft pick.
And that starts with an intense mentality.
“Keep him away from the quarterback, no one gets past me,” Paul said. “My offensive line coach fosters that it’s a big thing to finish and go past the whistle. I play the game with that dog mentality.”
Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com.