MIAMI GARDENS — Miami Dolphins cornerback Ethan Bonner lined up opposite star wide receiver Tyreek Hill a few times in Monday's training camp practice.

Bonner did not back down.

"I definitely don't take those reps for granted," Bonner said after practice. "Best I've seen in the league. Extremely quick. Very athletic player. So those reps are precious."

Bonner, 24, is a fascinating prospect, and his camp is off to a good start.

Ethan Bonner makes 'craziest jump,' according to Jaylen Waddle

"Man, Bonner probably has had the craziest jump from I think any player from last year, in my opinion," Dolphins receiver Jaylen Waddle said after practice. "He just seems like a totally different player out there. He's more patient at the line. Maybe it's just a year on his belt, his patience, using his long arms, he obviously knows he can run.

"He can stay difficult with anyone. And he's playing with a lot of confidence out there. So I tell EB every day, man, you're getting us better. Patient after line of scrimmage. They run a lot of cover one. They put their best on best. Just staying patient after line, waiting for the receiver to do his move, and being confident, shooting his hands. He's playing great ball."

Bonner, undrafted out of Stanford, played two games for Miami last season. He was then inserted into the lineup after an injury in the playoff loss at the Chiefs.

Cam Smith did not practice due to apparent injury on Monday. And Bonner made the most of that opportunity. Waddle has said that Bonner, a high school track star, is one of the three fastest players on the team, including Waddle and Tyreek Hill.

"At the end of the day I just want to be the best player that I can be," Bonner said. "I want to maximize my potential. So yeah, I think I've gained a little confidence and I think I deserve to be here. At the end of the day, I do want to be on the field and I want to play."

Bonner can play safety but the focus has really been on slot and boundary corner.

Ethan Bonner is headed toward Dolphins' 53-man roster spot

Behind Jalen Ramsey and Kendall Fuller there is an open competition including Bonner, Kader Kohou, Nik Needham and Siran Neal.

Special teams will play a factor.

But Bonner is showing strong ball skills.

"I wanted to be more physical, better in press," Bonner said. "I played a lot of off coverage last year. I didn't really get a chance to play a lot of press coverage, so that's been a big emphasis for me is developing in that area. I just wanted to be all around more technical."

Bonner did say new defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver may be a bit more zone-heavy than former defensive coordinator Vic Fangio.

Another element that the speedy Bonner can bring when on the field is blitzing impact.

On Monday, Bonner looked good bringing pressure.

"I just think it keeps the offense guessing at any given time," Bonner said. "I think anybody can be coming from the edges, some nickel pressure, corner pressure. But yeah, we're just trying to get after the quarterback in the end of the day."

Miami Dolphins training camp report Monday, Did Cam Smith or Tyreek Hill practice?

Joe Schad is a journalist covering the Miami Dolphins and the NFL at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at jschad@pbpost.com and follow him on Instagram and on X @schadjoe. Sign up for Joe's free weekly Dolphins Pulse Newsletter. Help support our work by subscribing today.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Miami Dolphins CB Ethan Bonner makes 'craziest jump,' says WR Jaylen Waddle