MIAMI GARDENS — The Miami Dolphins’ 2026 rookie class is particularly important because it’s the foundation to a roster reset that has taken place under the new regime of general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan and coach Jeff Hafley.

There’s arguably more on the shoulders for Miami’s first-round picks in Kadyn Proctor and Chris Johnson than most rookies across the league.

The top Dolphins rookies, who were among 13 draft picks and 11 undrafted rookie signings participating in the first day of rookie minicamp Friday, are taking that responsibility in stride.

“It’s definitely such a blessing being the team’s first pick,” said Proctor, the Alabama offensive lineman and draft’s No. 12 pick two weeks ago. “(I) know they have that trust in me to go out there and lead. That’s all I try to do, try to be open to my teammates, kick it with them because, all in all, communication is key to our success. Coming in here, getting into it with the guys, that’s most important.”

Johnson, out of San Diego State, enters a cornerback room that needs immediate contributions. He’s not afforded the same leeway to fail as 2023 second-round pick Cam Smith. The Dolphins need him to turn into a solid No. 1 cornerback.

“It’s not really pressure for me,” Johnson said after his first practice with his professional team. “I love expectations. I love high expectations. I hold myself to those, so just coming in here hoping to be a foundational piece to the Dolphins.

“I definitely feel good about it, and it just speaks volumes of what the staff thinks of me. They brought me here for a reason.”

Proctor and Johnson are at the top of the draft class, but they all share a common journey as rookies going through the same experience simultaneously.

“Just sitting in the meetings with them, kind of looking around, kind of dapping everybody up, it’s been such a special moment,” Proctor said. “We know we worked so hard to get here. And those are my teammates. Got to get up with them and build those relationships quick.”

Rookies were instructed through stretches and warmups before breaking out into positional drills during the media-viewing portion of rookie minicamp.

“I loved it. I’m not going to lie. I’m overly happy,” said Proctor, who is listed at 6 feet 7, 352 pounds by the Dolphins. “Had a good day. Had some good preparation, but I hydrated pretty well, so I feel pretty good. Heart wasn’t beating too fast, so that’s definitely a good sign to getting acclimated to it.”

Proctor, a left tackle at Alabama, is being moved inside to left guard, Sullivan told 560-AM last week. That leaves Patrick Paul to play left tackle and Austin Jackson as right tackle.

Proctor said it won’t be a big adjustment playing guard for the first time since prior to his freshman season with the Crimson Tide.

“I can play anywhere, and it’s first day of practice. I don’t know where I’m going to play in September on in. Really just coming in here, taking it day by day and doing whatever I’m asked to,” he said.

“I’m just a powerful guy. I’m quick off the ball. The guards are more of the post players. They got to get the double team started, so that’s just kind of what I pride myself on, getting it started so the center and the left tackle can come in and clean it up.”

Johnson has visions of this rookie class being the group that sparks a shift for a Dolphins franchise that hasn’t won a playoff game since 2000.

“We brought in a lot of draft picks to change some things around here, and that’s what we’re all trying to do.”

Rookie camp notes

Dolphins third-round pick and former Louisville wide receiver Chris Bell, who tore his ACL in November, participated in stretches and worked out on the side of drills during rookie minicamp Friday. He was seen without a knee brace or compression sleeve.

Aside from the 10 previously known undrafted rookies the Dolphins agreed to terms with two weeks ago, the team also signed Kentucky defensive tackle Kahlil Saunders.

Miami’s 13 draft picks and 11 undrafted signings were joined by 10 tryout players Friday during minicamp drills. Among them, SMU wide receiver and Miami native Romello Brinson and FSU quarterback Thomas Castellanos, who was trying out as a wide receiver. Castellanos appeared to run smooth routes and secure passes thrown his way as he looks to make a positional transition in professional football.

The Dolphins also had seven veteran youngsters on the roster participate in Friday’s minicamp: quarterback Cam Miller, running back Donovan Edwards, wide receiver AJ Henning, offensive lineman Josh Priebe, defensive linemen Alex Huntley and Keith Cooper Jr. and edge defender Seth Coleman.

Dolphins veterans who watched rookie minicamp drills on the side Friday included quarterback Malik Willis, wide receivers Jalen Tolbert and Malik Washington and safety Dante Trader Jr.