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On Day 2 of the 2026 NFL Draft, the Miami Dolphins added a defensive leader to their roster, selecting former Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez with the No. 43 pick in the second round.

Rodriguez put together a dominant 2025 college football season for Texas Tech, finishing with a 93.3 overall PFF grade that ranked first among 809 qualified linebackers. He also led the position in coverage with a 92.7 grade and topped all linebackers in run defense at 95.3.

Moreover, he finished the year with 81 solo tackles, added four total pressures and one sack as a blitzer, and allowed an 82.7 passer rating when targeted in coverage. He was also credited with 17 missed tackles across the season.

As a result of this production, Rodriguez is receiving an early predicition that he will win the Defensive Rookie of the Year award after this upcoming 2026 season.

“Jacob Rodriguez, though; this dude is legit, grown man business,” NFL Network analyst Michael Robinson said on April 25. “You talk about it: He averaged 127.5 tackles the last two seasons. That is an average; 25.5 TFLs over his four-year career. Six interceptions, four of them last year. He understands how to drop and what the quarterback and opposing offenses are trying to do.

“He stays around the football, and we have been saying it for the last three days; he is one of those guys, one of those personalities that no matter where he gets drafted, if he is on the field, he is probably going to be in the running for Defensive Rookie of the Year. I love this kid. I love what I saw on tape, and I think it is going to continue in the National Football League.”

Dolphins GM Shares Key Factors for Jacob Rodriguez Pick

After making the selection on April 24, Dolphins general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan spoke with the media and shared what led them to select Rodriguez, noting that they see him leading the defense in the future.

“I can’t say enough good things about Jacob and, more importantly, about the people who have been around him during his time at Texas Tech and what they say about him, not only as a football player and the intangibles but also the type of person he is,” Sullivan said. “The tape speaks for itself. He’s all over the field and makes plays everywhere.”

Moreover, Sullivan went into detail about the traits Rodriguez will bring to the Dolphins’ defense that make the 23-year-old a no-brainer for them.  

“His instincts are second to none,” Sullivan added. “[Rodriguez] can play in space on third downs, and he’s going to help this football team, but he’s also a leader. He’s a green-dot guy who will call the defense in time, and I think he’ll fit really well in the room with [Jordyn] Brooks and [Tyrel Dodson]. He’d be a great addition to the Miami Dolphins.”

Jacob Rodriguez on What He’ll Bring to Miami

Meanwhile, after being selected by Miami, Rodriguez spoke to local media and shared what he’ll bring to the team following a successful 2025 college football season with the Red Raiders.

“I think my value has a lot to do with being in the position my coaches put me in, and I think they put a lot on my plate,” Rodriguez told reporters on April 24. “A lot of it, I was either asking for or I was ready to take on that challenge. 

“I am really appreciative of them putting me in all those spots to get everybody lined up and make them do what they do. We had a lot of great teammates this year, and it was fun for me just to be able to set them up for success.

“If we get those guys going and playing hard, then all I have to do is just do my job. It means a lot. I think I am a very versatile player. I can play kind of all around the field and do whatever the team needs of me and whatever is asked of me. That is where I can add value.”