MIAMI GARDENS ― The Miami Dolphins rookie draft class is 13 players deep.
Miami is especially hoping to hit with picks Kadyn Proctor, Chris Johnson, Jacob Rodriguez, Caleb Douglas and Chris Bell.
Many rookies will play in Jeff Hafley's first season. After seven training camp practices, it's time to check in with the coaches on how Miami's top rookies are doing.
Miami Dolphins news: what coaches are saying about rookies at training camp
Kadyn Proctor, OL, Dolphins 1st round pick
Dolphins coach Jeff Hafley on Kadyn Proctor after he was beaten by veteran Zach Sieler on the last play of a practice: "Proc has just got to see it and come off faster. And that is a big – your question, it's actually a really good question now that I'm kind of thinking about it – it's a good learning lesson that in those situations, he's just got to recognize the game and come off it quicker.
But it was a very well executed game by Zach. I mean, it was a beautiful thing."
What we're seeing: Kadyn Proctor is making an adjustment to guard from tackle, and things move faster inside. But Proctor has the size, feet and determination to be more than solid as a rookie.
Chris Johnson, CB, Dolphins 1st Round pick
Dolphins defensive coordinator Sean Duggan on Chris Johnson: "The thing that's impressed me the most about him is just the poise he plays with out there, right? It's for a rookie. He's never, you know, the moment's never too big. He always seems under control. And I think I kind of said this in the spring, is, you know, he learns from his mistakes."
What we're seeing: We see why Dolphins general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan and coach Jeff Hafley identified Johnson as a first-round target to start at cornerback. Johnson has instincts, confidence, ball skills, versatility and toughness. He should make a rookie impact.
Jacob Rodriguez, LB, Dolphins 2nd Round pick
Dolphins defensive coordinator Sean Duggan on Jacob Rodriguez and his propensity to force turnovers: "It's the fastest way to win and lose the game, right? If you can take it away, your percentages of winning go way up. And I think that's something we harp on every day. You know, we start every individual period with two minutes worth of takeaway drills. And I think the guys have bought in because they've seen the success of taking the ball away in practice."
What we're seeing: It will be a matter of when, not if, Jacob Rodriguez passes Tyrel Dodson on the Dolphins' depth chart. Rodriguez has incredible instincts. He punches the ball out and intercepts is in drops. Rodriguez is an exciting player who will be impossible to keep off the field as a rookie.
Caleb Douglas, WR, Dolphins 3rd Round Pick
Dolphins offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik on Caleb Douglas: "He’s an immensely talented dude. He's got long arms. He's fast. He's got really good feet. He's tall. We just need him to continue to grow in his technique and his fundamentals."
What we're seeing: Douglas has good size and body control. He needs to continue to work on catching the ball without a bobble and securing it after the catch. At the moment Douglas slots behind Malik Washington and Greg Dulcich (and De'Von Achane if you want to including running backs) in projected catches.
Bonus Notes on Dolphins rookies
Sean Duggan on LB Trey Moore: "There's still a lot of stuff we got to clean up. But he's done a good job just embracing the playbook, embracing the position, and just honestly getting better every single day."
Bobby Slowik on WR Chris Bell (ACL): "Yeah, I mean he's still a long way away."
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: What Miami Dolphins coaches are saying about the top rookies
