Everything that came out of Cam Smith’s mouth was lost, not in translation but rather in distraction, as the diamonds and gold that adorned his smile shifted the focus.

The Dolphins’ second-year cornerback apparently wore a diamond grill on the top and bottom during practice and apparently wanted to wear the decorative mouthpiece during one of his rare media interviews.

And why not, since Smith is back on the field, feeling good physically and mentally, and obviously wanted to show his smile.

“There’s a reason I’m here,” said a more confident Smith than the player who sulked around the facility last season, a season in which he fell into former defensive coordinator Vic Fangio’s disfavor and never got out. “I focus on my talent and listen to what (my coaches) have to say about the little things I need to work on and apply those every day.”

Smith is on a short list of players whose NFL futures are on the line over the next two weeks. Beginning with Thursday’s joint practice against the Washington Commanders, the 13 days leading up to the NFL’s cut down day on August 27 will shape his future as a professional.

Although Smith’s status with the Dolphins is not in jeopardy because NFL franchises rarely move on from early draftees after just one season, the practice and performance of this 2023 second-round pick over the next few days will shed light on his role in Anthony Weaver’s new defense.

Last year, Smith had a strong training camp but didn’t commit to a double play in Miami’s final preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars and paid a heavy price for it. Although Miami had a huge need for cornerback support last season due to injuries, the team turned to everyone but the former South Carolina star, privately blaming his lack of maturity for his slow start.

“He certainly has some scars from last year, which any young player has in that situation when you haven’t played much and you’re wondering why,” Weaver said. “He has to be confident. He can’t be afraid to go out on the practice field and make mistakes and fear consequences, especially at corner.”

These are problems that all young players face, but the earlier a player is drafted, the greater the problem becomes.

And that’s why Smith is just one of many young players, along with Liam Eichenberg, Channing Tindall and Erik Ezukanma, all working hard to live up to the high expectations placed on them by their draft status.

The problem is that not every draft pick will be a Dolphins Ring of Honor player.

Not everyone becomes a starter right away or can hold their starting spot for more than a few games.

And even fewer deserve the team’s patience or a second contract.

The key is for these young people to find their lane, embrace their role and do it to the best of their ability.

The Dolphins seem to be able to do this with the 2024 draftee class, which includes three players in Chop Robinson, Patrick Paul and Jaylen Wright, all of whom will make an important contribution immediately.

Jaelan Phillips’ return from the physically unable to perform list and his participation in practice this week should take some of the pressure off Robinson to be in the starting lineup right away.

The 2024 first-round pick came to the Dolphins as an unfinished product, having trouble setting and finishing the ball. But his talent, Robinson’s ability to time the ball just right, helps him gain an edge over blockers that benefits Weaver’s defense.

Therefore, we should expect him to be on the field for obvious passing attempts. But right now, it might be too much to ask him to be on the field as a starting edge player for every attempt.

Rookies usually take time. Phillips didn’t become an every-down edge player until the second half of his rookie season.

Miami needs to start with small doses, with small bites of the apple for players like Smith, Robinson, Paul and Wright.

The Dolphins should put enough on their plate to keep themselves satisfied, and if they can do that, they should take on even more.

Paul played well from the start and into the fourth quarter in Miami’s first preseason game and was one of the team’s best players in that game. Now, with a stronger Washington defensive line coming to town, Miami’s coaches will see if he can build on that success.

“Pat is going to mean business. He’s a mammoth of a man,” said fellow offensive tackle Kendall Lamm. “I tell him, ‘Look, they brought you here for a reason. Me and T-Stead (Terron Armstead) are not the youngest. Our bodies are starting to give out little by little.’ Pat is going to be here. I’ve seen a lot of things happen. Game 3 or 4, maybe 1, you’re in.

“That’s why I tell Pat to approach every day like he’s the guy, because before he knows it, he is the guy,” Lamm continued. “So you can prepare yourself mentally, too.”

The goal is to avoid throwing them into deep water where they could drown.

But Miami can’t afford to have too many cases like Smith’s, where a player is put on ice for one reason or another and then begins to doubt his confidence while outsiders question his talent.

There has to be the right balance.

“I think it’s very hard to be a rookie in the National Football League and even harder to compete week in and week out in the regular season at the varsity level,” coach Mike McDaniel said. “I think we have the right character in this draft class for some guys to do that and the team is counting on that.”