Ten analysts assess what Dolphins are getting with second-round pick Rodriguez
What 10 analysts are saying about the Dolphins’ selection of Texas Tech inside linebacker Jacob Rodriguez - who had 128 tackles and was fifth in Heisman Trophy voting - with the 43rd pick in the second round of the NFL Draft:
▪ ESPN’s Mel Kiper: “A four-sports athlete in high school -- football, baseball, basketball, track. You combine the production and run the way he did, it added up to a potential second round pick. He is not an overachiever. He’s got incredible talent. When you are as productive as he was on a game to game basis, and test the way he did” that’s a good combination.
▪ ESPN’s Louis Riddick: “The No. 1 thing I loved about this dude is his point of attack play. This dude is a turnover machine. He gets the ball out better than anyone, can catch the ball as well as any linebacker in the draft. He’s just a flat out playmaker.”
He is a bit undersized for the position at 6-1, 231. But so was former Texas Tech alum and Dolphins great Zach Thomas, who has been a mentor to Rodriguez.
▪ ABC’s Nick Saban: “He’s a really good athlete, can run, really instinctive, a little undersized. The guy makes a lot of plays, good in coverage.”
▪ ESPN’s Desmond Howard: “He’s going to be fantastic at the next level.”
▪ ESPN’s Field Yates :”One of the most opportunistic players I’ve seen in the past three drafts. From the start of the process, I don’t think anybody did more for themselves than Jacob Rodriguez. He had an unbelievable season. Ran a 4.57 in the 40. It’s so obvious he’s a heck of a player. [But his] size is not ideal.”
▪ NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah: “All he does is force fumble after fumble. Watch how accurate he is with this punch. The Dolphins are going to get some turnovers. If you have that ball loose; he’s coming to get it. He did it in practices at the Senior Bowl as well. If you are a running back in the AFC East, you better have five points of pressure on that ball.”
▪ NFL Network’s Charles Davis: “Got better and better throughout his career.”
▪ NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein: “Rodriguez arrived in college as an offensive athlete and leaves Texas Tech as a bigger-than-life, stat-stuffing linebacker. He’s uniquely productive, with elite tackle, interception and forced fumble production. He’ll occasionally bounce out of a run fit when chasing action, but he has the burst to race back inside and finish. He’s slippery working off blocks and navigating combo climbers. His lateral pursuit leaves the station on time and with a fast take-off.
“Rodriguez displays ballhawking instincts and outstanding hands but busted coverages were part of the package in 2025. His unbridled urgency and ‘make every play’ mindset can inflate missed tackle totals, but the production should outweigh the occasional headaches. He projects as a long-term starting inside linebacker.”
▪ ESPN’s Matt Miller, who mocked him 46th: “Rodriguez is a playmaker. The middle linebacker had seven forced fumbles and four interceptions last season. Oh, and he also can take snaps in the Wildcat formation.”
▪ The Athletic’s Dane Brugler: “Rodriguez is quick off his spot with the backfield vision to sort and drive on the football. He lays it all on the line each snap. His awareness in coverage, go getter intangibles and turnover production are qualities that will win over a war room.”
This story was originally published April 24, 2026 at 8:08 PM.
