MIAMI GARDENS \u2014 The Miami Dolphins\u2019 2026 rookie class is particularly important because it\u2019s the foundation to a roster reset that has taken place under the new regime of general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan and coach Jeff Hafley.<\/p>\n
There\u2019s arguably more on the shoulders for Miami\u2019s first-round picks in Kadyn Proctor<\/a> and Chris Johnson<\/a> than most rookies across the league.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s definitely such a blessing being the team\u2019s first pick,\u201d said Proctor, the Alabama offensive lineman and draft\u2019s No. 12 pick two weeks ago. \u201c(I) know they have that trust in me to go out there and lead. That\u2019s 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\u2019s most important.\u201d<\/p>\n Johnson, out of San Diego State, enters a cornerback room that needs immediate contributions. He\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s not really pressure for me,\u201d Johnson said after his first practice with his professional team. \u201cI 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.<\/p>\n \u201cI definitely feel good about it, and it just speaks volumes of what the staff thinks of me. They brought me here for a reason.\u201d<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n \u201cJust sitting in the meetings with them, kind of looking around, kind of dapping everybody up, it\u2019s been such a special moment,\u201d Proctor said. \u201cWe know we worked so hard to get here. And those are my teammates. Got to get up with them and build those relationships quick.\u201d<\/p>\n Rookies were instructed through stretches and warmups before breaking out into positional drills during the media-viewing portion of rookie minicamp.<\/p>\n \u201cI loved it. I\u2019m not going to lie. I\u2019m overly happy,\u201d said Proctor, who is listed at 6 feet 7, 352 pounds by the Dolphins. \u201cHad a good day. Had some good preparation, but I hydrated pretty well, so I feel pretty good. Heart wasn\u2019t beating too fast, so that\u2019s definitely a good sign to getting acclimated to it.\u201d<\/p>\n