He was selected by the Dolphins with the 19th overall pick in the 2004 NFL draft after playing college football for the Miami Hurricanes.

As a sophomore, Carey played in every game including one start, when he stepped in for injured left tackle Bryant McKinnie for the season finale against Virginia Tech.

As a senior, he was named as a third-team All-America choice by the Associated Press and College Football News.

The first of his NFL career came when he opened at right tackle in place of the injured John St. Clair (ankle) at the New England Patriots on October 10, 2004.

Carey struggled at times during his rookie campaign, but showed enough promise to be a solid starter in the near future.

The team once again considered moving Carey in 2006 – this time to right guard; however, that notion was quickly abandoned.

During a season when the Dolphins' offensive line struggled early in the year, Carey was the lone bright spot.

Starting all 16 games of the year at right tackle, Carey was by far the Dolphins' most consistent and productive offensive lineman.

During a news conference that occurred during the first day of the 2007 NFL draft, head coach Cam Cameron announced Carey as the team's starting left tackle.

With the Dolphins drafting Jake Long first overall, Carey was moved to the right tackle spot where he started all 16 games in 2008.