DAVIE, Fla. -- Organized team activities are just beginning, and there is a surprise player receiving early raves from Miami Dolphins players and coaches.

Veteran cornerback Byron Maxwell has been mentioned several times by those asked which player is impressing in practice. Maxwell also was arguably Miami's best player in the only session open to the media last week. He did a good job covering receivers DeVante Parker and Kenny Stills in team drills and picked off quarterback Ryan Tannehill for a big defensive play.

Not only has Byron Maxwell shined on the field during the Dolphins' OTAs, the veteran CB has been valuable serving as a mentor to the team's younger cornerbacks. AP Photo/Alan Diaz

Does this mean Maxwell is primed for a bounce-back season after struggling last year with the Philadelphia Eagles? Only time will tell. But the early results indicate that Maxwell is motivated as he tries to take over Miami's No. 1 cornerback spot.

"I always feel like I have something to prove," Maxwell said. "There are things on my list that I need to do; I feel like I need to do as an NFL player. It's Year 6, so there is way more stuff to prove. I have a lot of years."

Maxwell is in an interesting spot this offseason. On one hand, he's a new player in Miami's locker room and must prove himself to teammates and the new coaching staff. However, Maxwell also is the team's most experienced cornerback and has to mentor the younger players at his position.

Maxwell spent the first four years of his career with the Seattle Seahawks and learned his craft under veterans Richard Sherman, Earl Thomas and Kam Chancellor. Now Maxwell is the cornerback in the Dolphins' secondary with the most experience and must bring along inexperienced players Bobby McCain, Tony Lippett and rookie second-round pick Xavien Howard.

"It's a responsibility that has to be accepted, regardless of [whether] I like it or not," Maxwell said. "It's one of those things where you can get these young guys and you can mold them. And you can create something like we had in Seattle, something similar to that. I'm looking forward to it."

The Dolphins acquired Maxwell, along with linebacker Kiko Alonso, in exchange for swapping first-round picks with Philadelphia. Miami is happy with the trade because it landed three starters, if you include the first-round selection of offensive lineman Laremy Tunsil at No. 13 overall.

The trade will look even better for Miami if Maxwell has a strong season as the team's top cornerback. Rookie head coach Adam Gase has been impressed with Maxwell.

"I know, offensively, he makes our guys better because they know they're going to get a tough matchup every time that they go out there," Gase said. "He hasn't disappointed me one bit. He has been out there. He has challenged the ball. He has done a great job of getting his hands on balls, and it makes it tough on not only the receivers but the quarterback, because that window is tight. When he's covering a guy, it's going to be a tight throw."