NAPA, Calif. ― The Miami Dolphins are fielding one of the youngest teams in NFL history.
Literally.
According to SportRadar research, via the Associated Press, the Dolphins' 436 rookie snaps in Week 1 were the most for any team in Week 1 for at least the last 20 recorded seasons.
"We know the urgency we need to have to get better and for our young guys to grow and grow fast," Dolphins offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik said.
The Dolphins, the NFL's youngest team, face the 49ers, the NFL's oldest team, in Santa Clara on Sunday, Sept. 20. Miami is a nearly two-touchdown underdog.
"They got a lot of vets, a lot of Pro Bowlers," Dolphins rookie receiver Caleb Douglas said.
Miami's many rookies have had a chance to mingle with the veterans during this
two-week road trip to Nevada and California.
But everyone knows there are going to be growing pains. It's going to take time.
"I understand who we're playing and I understand all these players that we're about to play against," Dolphins' first-year coach Jeff Hafley said. "This game is going to be about us taking a step forward."
Taking a step forward may mean reducing mistakes, even if the team doesn't win.
Dolphins setting records in rookie usage
"I try not to be too hard on them, but at the same time, you do want to hold them accountable because they're out there playing ball and whoever's out there playing ball, you want them to do their one-eleventh," Dolphins quarterback Malik Willis said of the numerous youngsters.
The Dolphins rookies to make their debut in a season-opening loss at Las Vegas were: G/T Kadyn Proctor, CB Chris Johnson, ILB Jacob Rodriguez, WR Caleb Douglas, TE Will Kacmarek, WR Chris Bell, S Kyle Louis, S Michael Taaffe, WR Kevin Coleman Jr., TE Seydou Traore and FB DJ Herman.
Is that all? (It would be even more but edge Trey Moore is on injured reserve and safety Louis joined him this week.)
Caleb Douglas and Jacob Rodriguez may be future stars
Caleb Douglas, and Jacob Rodriguez, in particular, shined at times in Week 1.
But there were many missed assignments from the rookie class in general that fans and media wouldn't even necessarily identify.
Rookie wide receiver Chris Bell, who appears to be an excellent prospect, said quarterback Willis helped him get lined up a few times.
Rookie guard Kadyn Proctor, who appears to be an excellent prospect, said he missed a few times on his "aiming points" of blocks.
Rookie receiver Caleb Douglas, who, you know what, said he missed a few blocks and wants to execute them better in Week 2.
"I mean, we just had a lot of mistakes through the course of the game," said Slowik, the offensive coordinator. "Now, we have a lot of young guys playing. We got a lot of new guys to the scheme and the system and what we're trying to do. I think we're all trying to learn and figure each other out through this process."
Rodriguez had 14 tackles at Las Vegas. And rookie safety Michael Taafe had an interception. But Taaffe took blame for one of the two touchdowns that occured in the coverage area of rookie cornerback Chris Johnson.
Growing pains expected for young Dolphins roster
"There's a lot scheme wise that was out of (Johnson's) control, that he could have had help in certain situations," Dolphins second-year safety Dante Trader said. "He's always going to be hard on himself. And again, I've been there, so I was like, listen, let this be your worst game and if this is going to be your worst game, shoot, you're going to have a great career."
Trader is a team leader and practically a sage voice in a locker room of newbies.
Trader is 23 years old.
The Dolphins led the NFL with 27 percent of snaps taken by rookies in Week 1, according to the data site sfdata9ers. The next closest was the Browns at 16 percent.
Dolphins coach Hafley said there will be no curve when grading rookies after each game. He may pull a rookie into his office at times this season, to check in with his mental state. But, "I mean, there's a standard and we can't deviate from that," Hafley said.
"We're never going to use youth as an excuse," Dolphins defensive coordinator Sean Duggan added. "We've got to continue to coach these guys and they got to continue to prepare and grow."
Joe Schad is a journalist covering the Miami Dolphins and the NFL at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at jschad@pbpost.com and follow him on Instagram and on X @schadjoe. Sign up for Joe's free weekly Dolphins Pulse Newsletter. Help support our work by subscribing today.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Miami Dolphins rookies are learning fast. They have to.
