With the Miami Dolphins on a bye week, it is time to look at how players have been doing so far this season. Granted, the team remains winless, but there are several players on the roster who have been exceeding expectations.

The current season is likely not going to be chalked up to wins and losses, but more so to how players are growing.

With many rookies in prominent roles and featured on this list, there are several players who are getting the kind of work that will lead to even bigger success in 2027 and beyond.

Taking over for De'Von Achane is no easy task, but second-year rusher Ollie Gordon II continues to show that he has the ability to lead the rushing attack.

The idea was for Jaylen Wright to lead and Gordon to be the backup, but that is not the case. Gordon has picked up 229 yards on the ground with three touchdowns over the past three games.

Once the bye week is over, expect that Gordon will be the lead back. 

Dolphins defensive tackle Jordan Phillips is a major reason why the defense has been able to stall the rush games of many prominent teams. He is a strong run stuffer, while also showing off some incredible strength when blowing up players behind the line of scrimmage.

Phillips has gotten a lot more work with Kenneth Grant being out, but Phillips should remain in the lineup as much as possible.

Phillips has six defensive stops thus far through five weeks, and continues to be a force on the defensive line.

The trio of rookies for the Dolphins that have exceeded expectations starts with cornerback Chris Johnson. Johnson was asked to do everything in training camp, and he refined his skills enough to be a solid cover corner.

Johnson has a 21st-ranked 68.8 overall grade on Pro Football Focus, which includes a 12th-ranked 72.0 pass rush grade. The rookie is giving up a 73.9 completion percentage to opposing quarterbacks, but that number could be far lower by season's end. 

The idea behind Miami drafting rookie tackle Kadyn Proctor was to start him as a guard and eventually move him into a tackle position. The issue is that Proctor has done a fantastic job at guard position. 

Proctor has given up two hits and one sack through five weeks, which is solid for a rookie starter. He is also ranked 29th with a 65.7 overall grade on PFF. 

Proctor is often seen pancaking oncoming blockers and blocking into the second level. He has the kind of strength and physicality that he utilizes well with his mauling nature. There is a chance he will be moved to tackle at some point, but he remains a strong guard.

Jacob Rodriguez has been as advertised. After he was awarded the green dot to call the defense, along with taking over the spot that was occupied by Tyrel Dodson, he began to show his high skill on the field.

Prior to Week 6, Rodriguez led the NFL with 57 total tackles. He also has one interception and continues to play at a level that has not been seen on the Dolphins since the days of Zach Thomas. 

Rodriguez could be a runaway favorite for Defensive Rookie of the Year, and he is the kind of passionate and physical player that general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan and head coach Jeff Hafley want to build around.