The Miami Dolphins are at the midway point, and there have been some pleasant surprises and disappointments at all levels of the team.  That also includes the team's 2023 rookie class.

While the Dolphins didn't have many draft picks, have gotten some contributions from some of their newest faces so far this season. 

Here's how each rookie grades out so far this year (note: this does not include draft picks no longer on the team or undrafted free agent players who are not on the active roster (i.e., practice squad)). 

De'Von Achane: A+

The third round pick out of Texas A&M took the league by storm the first two months of the season.  With five rushing touchdowns and a 12.1 yards per carry average, he moved to second on the NFL rushing list on just 38 carries before missing the last four weeks with a knee injury.  

The rookie running back is eligible to come off the injured reserve list after the bye.  If he can pick up where he left off, Miami's offense will hit another gear. 

Cam Smith: C

This might be a bit harsh, but Smith – the Dolphins' 2023 second round pick – had a major opportunity so far this season to step in and make an impact, and he's failed to seize it.  Instead, it's been the veteran Eli Apple that's earned the coaches' trust more through the first half of the season.  

With Jalen Ramsey and Xavien Howard both back on the field from injury, it's hard to see Smith seeing the field much the rest of the season absent someone suffering an injury. 

Chris Brooks: B+

The expectations for Brooks were low, as he was an undrafted free agent signing from BYU.  However, Brooks overcame long odds and made the 53-man roster, giving the Dolphins a physical, punishing presence in the backfield.  

Just as he was starting to earn a few more snaps, he suffered ankle and knee injuries that put him on injured reserve.  Still, from where he came to where he got to, it's quite the climb.  

Ryan Hayes: C

Hayes didn't make the final roster after being the Dolphins' 7th round pick in 2023.  He was claimed off waivers by Indianapolis but was waived there after a few weeks and was re-signed to Miami's practice squad. 

This grade also might be harsh and would more warrant a grade of "incomplete", given his path so far, but he did have a shot to make the active roster in camp and didn't.  Time will tell if he gets called up, but it will probably take an injury to Terron Armstead, Kendall Lamm, or Austin Jackson for that to have any chance of happening. 

Julian Hill: C+

Hill got the nod over fellow rookie tight end Elijah Campbell when cuts were made.  However, the returns have been mixed for the rookie out of Campbell University.  He's logged a solid 137 snaps on the year, earning a poor overall Pro Football Focus grade of 39.7.  His run blocking grades have been pretty decent outside of the Denver and Philadelphia games.  He's also been a non-factor in the passing game with just once catch for four years this year. 

Impressive enough that he made the team and earned that many snaps through nine games, but he has a lot of room to improve moving forward. 

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