Miami Dolphins fans naturally expect too much from rookie class

The Miami Dolphins rookies have yet to hit anyone in practice, yet to take a hit in practice but they are all going to have great seasons.

This is the common line of unrealistic thinking that so often plagues NFL fan bases. It’s not restricted to the Miami Dolphins and their fans, I myself have been guilty of the exact same thing. While I don’t believe Jaylen Waddle will get much ROY consideration, I have said that Jaelen Phillips could get into the discussion on the defensive side of the ball.

In reality, though, the Dolphins rookies are expected to contribute not necessarily star in their first year. Phillips will play in a rotation, Waddle will rotate with other receivers, Liam Eichenberg may not start at all, and Javon Holland could see more of a situational role early. To say nothing of tight end Hunter Long who will take a year or so before really grasping the NFL level like most tight ends entering the league.

The Dolphins can’t coddle their rookie class by any means but we need to realize that under Brian Flores, it is not about individual achievements as much as it is learning how to prepare in his systems and then execute.

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NFL fans tend to blow off their rookie classes pretty quickly and Dolphins fans are no different. We set unrealistic biases based on how we believe a player should perform. Nothing screams that louder than the expectations leveled on Tua Tagovailoa before he ever threw a pass in practice.

Tagovailoa, now entering his second season, is the best example of Dolphins fanbase loathing, at least for some. It was the same with Ryan Tannehill. For many fans regarding Tannehill, the early impressions of him under Joe Philbin became the vitriol hatred under Adam Gase. It was better to be right about him than to see him succeed and for some, the 5 INT first practice in the rain for Tua last Monday is all they want to see.

Dolphins fans need to be patient and not just with Tua but with all of the rookies from the 2021 class. There will be some great games and some great plays but the Dolphins will not go to the playoffs because one of them has a great season, they will go to the playoffs because they all contribute to the whole.