ESPN analyst naming Dolphins as best fit for ex-Lions Pro Bowl OT makes no sense

The Miami Dolphins are coming out of the NFL offseason with a lot of new faces on the roster. The 2026 season is all about determining which players can be long-term staples of the team amid their rebuild.

While there are going to be plenty of questions, one of the more important questions the team will face is at quarterback with Malik Willis. An important component of determining if Willis can be the QB of the future is the offensive line.

That's part of why they took Kadyn Proctor in Round 1 during the 2026 NFL Draft. But, with their offensive tackle spots filled, Proctor is the new left guard. And yet, ESPN's Matt Bowen linked the Dolphins to an offensive tackle.

"Taylor Decker, OT. Best team fit: Miami Dolphins," Bowen writes. "In Miami, Decker would compete for the left tackle spot with third-year pro Patrick Paul."

Bowen calling the Dolphins the best fit for Decker this offseason makes no sense. Paul should not be out of the starting lineup for Miami this year, and signing Decker for a year would be a massive waste of the little money the team has.

Dolphins' link to Taylor Decker makes no sense

Decker is the kind of offensive lineman a contending team with an offensive tackle question should look to sign this offseason.

The former Detroit Lions Pro Bowler would not be a bad signing for a team like the Chicago Bears. But, for the Dolphins, it wouldn't make any sense.

Paul is the future of the Dolphins' left tackle spot, and even if he's not, there's no reason for Miami to pivot before the 2026 season.

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Paul needs to start for Miami in 2026, as he can prove he's the long-term answer at LT, or show the Dolphins they have a big need after the 2026 season.

Going with Decker, who is a 32-year-old veteran who likely would only sign a one-year rental contract, over Paul would be a huge mistake.

This link makes no sense for the Dolphins, as there's not a scenario where going Decker over Paul to begin the season would be worth it for this Dolphins team.

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