A new era of Miami Dolphins football is officially here as rookie minicamp has concluded. It marked the first rookie minicamp with a class of players selected by general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan.
With the Dolphins beginning a rebuild, the 2026 NFL Draft was pivotal in shaping the future of the team, and no pick was more important than their first-round selection. Miami took Alabama offensive tackle Kadyn Proctor with their first pick, opting against selecting Caleb Downs and Reuben Bain, who were both higher on the consensus board.
However, Miami appears to have faith in Proctor being able to develop into a dominant force on the team’s offensive line. Proctor, who joined the team in minicamp, was not shy about his natural talent, letting the local media know what his skillset was.
Miami Dolphins Rookie Gives Insight
Despite Proctor primarily playing tackle at the college level, the Miami Dolphins envision him as a left guard in his rookie season. Proctor was asked about why he’s capable of making the transition as a rookie. Proctor said, “I’m just a powerful guy. You know, I’m quick off the ball. So, you know, the guards are more of the post players and they got to get the double team started. That’s just kind of what I prided myself on, getting it started. So the the center and the left tackle can come in and clean up. So really just focusing on that power and the speed off the ball.”
Regarding the move, A to Z Sports writer Kyle Crabbs wrote:
“If the Dolphins are serious about knocking defenders off the ball in the run game, that’s where Proctor has routinely been at his best, even while playing at tackle at Alabama. So the projection of Proctor playing between Patrick Paul and Aaron Brewer certainly is enticing. The first round rookie will undoubtedly help generate the displacement needed in the run game at any position. But placing him as the “post player” on the double team would be the type of move that pulls the best out of all involved in that phase of the game.”
Regarding Miami’s decision to move Proctor to guard, Dolphins on SI writer Jake Gibson wrote:
“It’s a bold move, but moving left tackle Laremy Tunsil to left guard was also a bold move in 2016 after the Dolphins made him the 13th overall pick. PFF gave Proctor an 81.6 run blocking grade in 2025 — the 15th-best grade out of 632 qualifying linemen. In a Dolphins offense that could heavily rely on De’Von Achane, Proctor’s skill set has the potential to translate well into the new role.”
De’Von Achane’s Contract
As Gibson mentioned, the Miami Dolphins rely heavily on Pro Bowl running back De’Von Achane, who had the third-best rushing season in franchise history.
However, the running back is set to be a free agent after the 2026 season and is looking for a contract extension. Unfortunately, it appears that the situation got more complicated due to the actions of the division rival New York Jets.
The Jets signed running back Breece Hall to a three-year, $45 million contract. Regarding how the move impacts Miami’s negotiations with Achane, Dolphins on SI’s Alain Poupart wrote:
“Nothing has happened since the 2026 NFL draft to change the outlook that the Miami Dolphins eventually will be giving team MVP De’Von Achane a contract extension at some point this offseason, but it never was going to be a simple process.
And that process got perhaps a bit more complicated Friday when fellow running back Breece Hall got his own contract extension from the New York Jets and it could get more complicated still because of the looming extensions coming to Bijan Robinson and Jahmyr Gibbs from the Atlanta Falcons and Detroit Lions, respectively.”
Dolphins Rookie Sends Strong Message After Rookie Minicamp