MIAMI GARDENS ― The Miami Dolphins selected linebacker Jacob Rodriguez of Texas Tech with the 43rd overall pick, in the second round, of the 2026 NFL Draft.
Among the players the Dolphins passed on in Round 2 were safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren of Toledo and Missouri edge rusher Zion Young.
Rodriguez is a very active player who forces turnovers. He began his career at Texas Tech as a quarterback.
Rodriguez is not Zach Thomas, but he plays with his hair on fire, just like the Dolphins legend from Texas Tech.
Jacob Rodriguez stands with Joey and Debbie McGuire during Texas Tech's senior day ceremony before a Big 12 Conference football game, Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025, at Jones AT&T Stadium.Jacob Rodriguez lifts the trophy after Texas Tech defeated BYU in the Big 12 Conference championship game, Saturday, Nov. 6, 2025, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington.Texas Tech's Jacob Rodriguez shares a kiss with his wife Emma prior to the Big 12 Conference championship football game, Saturday, Nov. 6, 2025, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington.Texas Tech's Jacob Rodriguez celebrates an interception against UCF during a Big 12 Conference football game, Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025, at Jones AT&T Stadium.Dec 6, 2025; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders linebacker Jacob Rodriguez (10) gets into position during the game between the Red Raiders and the Cougars at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn ImagesTexas Tech's Jacob Rodriguez makes the tackle against BYU during the Big 12 Conference championship football game, Saturday, Nov. 6, 2025, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington.Texas Tech's Jacob Rodriguez gets up after making a tackle against BYU during the Big 12 Conference championship football game, Saturday, Nov. 6, 2025, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington.Texas Tech players Jacob Rodriguez and Behren Morton hype each other up during a Big 12 Conference football game, Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025, at Jones AT&T Stadium.Feb 26, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez (LB21) runs the 40-yard dash during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn ImagesFeb 26, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez (LB21) during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn ImagesFeb 25, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez (LB21) speaks during the NFL Scouting Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn ImagesJacob Rodriguez walks the field before the Texas Tech football team's spring game, Friday, April 17, 2026, at Jones AT&T Stadium.1 / 12Meet linebacker Jacob Rodriguez Dolphins' second-round NFL draft pickJacob Rodriguez stands with Joey and Debbie McGuire during Texas Tech's senior day ceremony before a Big 12 Conference football game, Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025, at Jones AT&T Stadium.1 / 12Meet linebacker Jacob Rodriguez Dolphins' second-round NFL draft pickJacob Rodriguez stands with Joey and Debbie McGuire during Texas Tech's senior day ceremony before a Big 12 Conference football game, Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025, at Jones AT&T Stadium.2 / 12Meet linebacker Jacob Rodriguez Dolphins' second-round NFL draft pickJacob Rodriguez lifts the trophy after Texas Tech defeated BYU in the Big 12 Conference championship game, Saturday, Nov. 6, 2025, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington.3 / 12Meet linebacker Jacob Rodriguez Dolphins' second-round NFL draft pickTexas Tech's Jacob Rodriguez shares a kiss with his wife Emma prior to the Big 12 Conference championship football game, Saturday, Nov. 6, 2025, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington.4 / 12Meet linebacker Jacob Rodriguez Dolphins' second-round NFL draft pickTexas Tech's Jacob Rodriguez celebrates an interception against UCF during a Big 12 Conference football game, Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025, at Jones AT&T Stadium.5 / 12Meet linebacker Jacob Rodriguez Dolphins' second-round NFL draft pickDec 6, 2025; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders linebacker Jacob Rodriguez (10) gets into position during the game between the Red Raiders and the Cougars at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images6 / 12Meet linebacker Jacob Rodriguez Dolphins' second-round NFL draft pickTexas Tech's Jacob Rodriguez makes the tackle against BYU during the Big 12 Conference championship football game, Saturday, Nov. 6, 2025, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington.7 / 12Meet linebacker Jacob Rodriguez Dolphins' second-round NFL draft pickTexas Tech's Jacob Rodriguez gets up after making a tackle against BYU during the Big 12 Conference championship football game, Saturday, Nov. 6, 2025, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington.8 / 12Meet linebacker Jacob Rodriguez Dolphins' second-round NFL draft pickTexas Tech players Jacob Rodriguez and Behren Morton hype each other up during a Big 12 Conference football game, Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025, at Jones AT&T Stadium.9 / 12Meet linebacker Jacob Rodriguez Dolphins' second-round NFL draft pickFeb 26, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez (LB21) runs the 40-yard dash during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images10 / 12Meet linebacker Jacob Rodriguez Dolphins' second-round NFL draft pickFeb 26, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez (LB21) during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images11 / 12Meet linebacker Jacob Rodriguez Dolphins' second-round NFL draft pickFeb 25, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez (LB21) speaks during the NFL Scouting Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images12 / 12Meet linebacker Jacob Rodriguez Dolphins' second-round NFL draft pickJacob Rodriguez walks the field before the Texas Tech football team's spring game, Friday, April 17, 2026, at Jones AT&T Stadium.The Dolphins say they view Rodriguez as a "flag-bearer."
Here is our instant grade on the Dolphins picking Jacob Rodriguez:
Rodriguez is an outstanding athlete and will help the Dolphins against the run. He would complement middle linebacker Jordyn Brooks, as a pair of tackling machines.
He does have average size and can overrun some plays.
He should be a solid player, one of those "doubles" that general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan entered this draft saying he wanted.
Unfortunately for Miami, wide receiver, edge rusher and safety are still all crying needs.
Still, Sullivan has said he does want to simply try to check boxes. This is a multi-year rebuild project.
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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: Dolphins draft grades: Why Jacob Rodriguez pick gets a B