MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — The first game of the NFL season is still several months away, but Friday marked what the Miami Dolphins view as the start of a new era.
Practice No. 1 of rookie minicamp also served as the first under head coach Jeff Hafley, with general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan joining him on the field to get a close look at the team’s newest players.
Among them was the team’s first round pick from the 2026 NFL Draft, offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor, the massive Alabama product wearing No. 74, who said he was fired up to take the field for the first time in a Dolphins uniform.
“I loved it. I’m not gonna lie. Like I’m overly happy, you know. I had a good day. I had some good preparation, you know, it’s, it’s hot out here, but I hydrated pretty well, so I feel really good,” he said. “Heart wasn’t beating too fast, so that’s definitely a good sign of getting acclimated to it. I feel so good, honestly, especially in my number, man. Got my number too.”
Fans are already buzzing about rookie linebacker Jacob Rodriguez, a second-round pick out of Texas Tech, who says he’s leaned on Dolphins legend Zach Thomas — also a Texas Tech alum — as a mentor.
“It’s real easy to see the blueprint of what he did, and he reached out right after I got drafted, and he’s the best,” Rodriguez said of Thomas. “He’s a great person, a great human being, along with being a great football player.”
Dolphins rookie tight end Will Kacmarek, a third round pick out of Ohio State, said he’s focused on being a professional so his team can count on him.
“It’s all about being a pro — showing up on time with a notebook and being ahead of the playbook," he said. “When your number is called, you can perform to the best of your ability.”
Dolphins fifth-round rookie safety Michael Taaffe said coaches are emphasizing fundamentals early in camp as players adjust to the NFL level.
“Coach (Hafley) reminded us that it’s gonna be nothing like a real practice. This is just getting us into the fundamentals and techniques, trying to get us to adapt to how they really practice,” he said. “I’m just trying to learn as much as I can, put my head down and grind.”
The Dolphins on Friday also announced that they have signed 11 undrafted college free agents: center Jim Bonifas, tackle Kevin Cline, quarterback Mark Gronowski, running back Anthony Hankerson, defensive lineman Rene Konga, wide receiver Donaven McCulley, edge Rodney McGraw, safety Louis Moore, running back Le’Veon Moss, edge Mason Reiger and defensive lineman Kahlil Saunders.
Dolphins 2026 draft recap
• Round 1, No. 12: Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama (trade with Dallas)
• Round 1, No. 27: Chris Johnson, CB. San Diego State (trade with San Francisco)
• Round 2, No. 43: Jacob Rodriguez, LB, Texas Tech
• Round 3, No. 75 Caleb Douglas, WR, Texas Tech
• Round 3, No. 87: Will Kacmarek, TE, Ohio State
• Round 3, No. 94: Chris Bell, WR, Louisville
• Round 4, No. 130 Trey Moore, EDGE, Texas
• Round 4, No. 138 Kyle Louis, LB, Pittsburgh
• Round 5, No. 158, Michael Taaffe, S, Texas
• Round 5, No. 177 Kevin Coleman Jr., WR, Missouri
• Round 5, No. 180 Seydou Traore, TE, Mississippi State
• Round 6, No. 200 DJ Campbell, G, Texas
• Round 7, No 238 Max Llewellyn, EDGE, Iowa
Sullivan used words like “toughness” and “conviction” when discussing his selections with the media. He now hopes his first draft class as general manager will help move Miami a step closer to returning to the playoffs sooner rather than later.
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