‘You learn a lot from scars too’—The Miami Dolphins are embracing every lesson ahead for their massive rookie class
Miami Dolphins rookie defender Kyle Louis has a taller task than others. His coach is hoping he makes the most of both his successes and failures.
The Miami Dolphins are chasing a moving target with one of their (many) rookies in 2026. The Dolphins drafted 13 players in this year’s NFL Draft, flooding the roster with young talent and lots of potential.
But for Miami to get to where they want to be long-term? These rookies must grow up fast. Not only for 2026, either. The future can be now, given how well positioned these rookies are to play. But for fourth-round rookie Kyle Louis, things are a bit more complicated. He’s a gifted defender in space — but he does sit somewhat between traditional positions. Defensive coordinator Sean Duggan spoke on his transition on Wednesday during the team’s final day of training camp.
Miami Dolphins hoping rookie Kyle Louis learns through both the success and the ‘scars’
“We said he’s an instinctual player, so you do definitely see some instincts show up whether it’s him playing in coverage, reading the quarterback or him coming down fitting the run. You definitely can see that.
I think with any position, it’s the details of the position. You just need reps and you need coaching and you just got to keep doing it. Because I’m a big believer in not only do you learn from success — let’s say I came down and fit the run and I fit it perfectly. Okay, now in my brain, I can go, okay, I can do this again. I got to feel for when to come down, where are my eyes? But I think you learn a lot from scars too, right? You learn if okay, maybe on this one I wasn’t wide enough in my drop. Or maybe I’m looking at routes too much here. So I think just the more reps he gets, I think he’ll learn.“
— Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator Sean Duggan on rookie safety Kyle Louis
Louis was a hybrid linebacker in college. He played split between off the ball and in the slot. He’ll likely end up settling into a similar role here in Miami — but the base package could put him into compromising situations based on the down and distance as a rookie as he acclimates.
The challenge for Louis is how he’ll fit the run as an off-ball player. From depth, the angles he takes in transition will be tested by opposing teams if he’s on the field often. Is a true safety? Is he a linebacker at heart? The Dolphins, it seems, are in the process of finding out for themselves based off of his roles this summer.
But as long as Louis takes the right frame of mind for every rep, good or bad, his coordinator seems to think he’ll be fine in the long run. The bigger question will be how soon he’s ready to stay on the field full-time.
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