The Miami Dolphins entered the 2026 NFL season and a season-opener at the Las Vegas Raiders with the youngest roster in the league, an average age of 25.5.
The Dolphins also led the NFL with 13 rookies, including first-rounders Kadyn Proctor and Chris Johnson and second-rounder Jacob Rodriguez.
Miami coach Jeff Hafley and quarterback Malik Willis have said they understand mistakes will be made. How did the youngsters do in Week 1?
Here is our rookie report card after Miami's loss at Las Vegas to fall to 0-1.
Miami Dolphins rookies report card vs. Las Vegas Raiders
G Kadyn Proctor
Dolphins running back De'Von Achane struggled to get it going as Miami's offensive line was pushed back at times and also committed multiple penalties.
Proctor had a false start early in the second half. Willis was sacked four times.
Grade: C
CB Chris Johnson
Johnson made a sure tackle of Ashton Jeanty in the first quarter.
Johnson then allowed a pass over the middle to tight end Michael Mayer. Kirk Cousins of the Raiders targeted Johnson in this game and thus Johnson ended up with more tackles than you'd like a starting cornerback to have.
Johnson was near the play and involved in coverage when Cousins hit Jack Bech for a 17-yard touchdown in the first quarter. Later in the second quarter, Johnson could not stop Ashton Jeanty from catching and scoring a touchdown pass from Cousins.
Grade: C-
LB Jacob Rodriguez
Jacob was involved in stopping a 4th-and-1 inside run by the Raiders in the first quarter. But the stop was overturned on replay review and Las Vegas was awarded a first down.
Rodriguez was in coverage and made a tackle after a short completion in the second quarter. Rodriguez led the Dolphins with 14 tackles, which would put him on pace for 238 in 2026.
Grade: C+
WR Caleb Douglas
Caleb had the first catch of his career on the first play of the second quarter, but came up short of the yards needed to gain on a 3rd-and-15.
Douglas is silky smooth along the right sideline and he hauls one in from Malik Willis for a gain of 25 yards. Douglas had four catches for 81 yards in the first half, appearing poised and comfortable.
Douglas was the target on a third-quarter misfire and interception by Willis.
Grade: B+
WR Chris Bell
Bell failed to haul in his first NFL catch near the end of the first half. The Raiders were credited with a pass breakup. Bell had his first NFL catch in the third quarter, for 25 yards.
Grade: C+
TE Will Kacmarek
Kacmarek had a solid block on a solid inside gainer by Achane in the first half. Kacmarek is, without doubt, a very skilled blocker.
Grade: C+
LB Kyle Louis
Louis played a key "gunner" role on Miami's punt team. The Raiders had a punt return in the second quarter that required a tackle to be made by the Dolphins' punter. Louis sustained a knee injury in the second half and did not return.
Grade: C
S Michael Taaffe
Taaffe started over second-year safety Dante Trader.
Taaffe forced a fumble but Raiders tight end Michael Mayer was down before he lost the ball. Miami is intent to force more fumbles this season under Jeff Hafley and Sean Duggan.
Taafe intercepted Kirk Cousins at the start of the third quarter.
Grade: B+
FB DJ Herman
Herman saw his first action as an undrafted and converted fullback.
Grade: C
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: Caleb Douglas makes plays for Dolphins vs. Raiders
