Rookies receive praise from Gase
DAVIE — It’ll take months, if not a year or two, for the Dolphins to find out exactly what they have in this year’s draft class. But the rookies’ early work has been impressive.
First-rounder Minkah Fitzpatrick got great reviews during organized team activities and is competing for playing time at safety with Reshad Jones and T.J. McDonald. Second-round tight end Mike Gesicki is in line for a starting job, and there could be a few other major contributors from the later-round selections.
Collectively, though, this group has done well since joining the team in late April. Over the past two months, including rookie minicamp and offseason practices, coach Adam Gase has seen players with the right mentality to make it as pros.
“That whole group, I like the way those guys are working,” he said. “I see them studying, especially here. It seems like they’re not quick to run over to the hotel. Guys are sticking around, whether it’s working out or staying in their meeting rooms and working on their own or working with somebody else or grabbing a veteran.
“I like the way this group is working. ... They are playing a little bit of catch-up. They’re lacking experience in this league. I think these guys are really pushing themselves to try to make sure mentally, especially this offseason, to catch up as much as they possibly can before training camp.”
With OTAs completed, the rookies have about a month toget ready for training camp. That’s when the depth chart starts to take shape.
Of last year’s seven draft picks, only cornerback Cordrea Tankersley established himself as a full-time starter, and that took three games into the regular season. Raekwon McMillan also would have been the starting linebacker had he not torn his ACL in the preseason.
Beyond that, first-round pick Charles Harris started two games and fifth-rounder Davon Godchaux started five. Sixth-round defensive tackle Vincent Taylor appeared in 13 games off the bench.
Offensive guard Isaac Asiata (fifth round) was inactive most of the year because coaches said he wasn’t ready to play at the NFL level, and receiver Isaiah Ford (seventh) spent the season on injured reserve.
Early start to training camp: The Dolphins think they need a lot of work.
The NFL released reporting dates for training camp Thursday, which revealed the Dolphins’ rookies are scheduled to arrive in Davie on July 18 and veterans July 25.
Only the Baltimore Ravens (July 11) a nd Chicago Bears ( July 16) are reporting earlier. And only the Jacksonville Jaguars and New Orleans Saints also are reporting as early as July 18.
The Ravens and Bears play in the Hall of Fame Game on Aug. 2 to open the preseason, which explains their choice of dates. At the other extreme, the Los Angeles Chargers won’t report until July 27.
The Dolphins open the preseason Aug. 9 at home against Tampa Bay, whose rookies won’t report until July 23 and veterans July 25.