\n
![\"Profile](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/1773471612_67_IMG_Jackson_Barry_mug.jp_2_1_GDETHNSG_L434902367.JPG\")
\n <\/a><\/p>\n
What 10 analysts are saying about the Dolphins\u2019 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:<\/p>\n
\u25aa ESPN\u2019s Mel Kiper: \u201cA 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\u2019s got incredible talent. When you are as productive as he was on a game to game basis, and test the way he did\u201d that\u2019s a good combination.<\/p>\n
\u25aa ESPN\u2019s Louis Riddick: \u201cThe 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\u2019s just a flat out playmaker.\u201d<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u25aa ABC\u2019s Nick Saban: \u201cHe\u2019s a really good athlete, can run, really instinctive, a little undersized. The guy makes a lot of plays, good in coverage.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u25aa ESPN\u2019s Desmond Howard: \u201cHe\u2019s going to be fantastic at the next level.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u25aa ESPN\u2019s Field Yates :\u201dOne of the most opportunistic players I\u2019ve seen in the past three drafts. From the start of the process, I don\u2019t think anybody did more for themselves than Jacob Rodriguez. He had an unbelievable season. Ran a 4.57 in the 40. It\u2019s so obvious he\u2019s a heck of a player. [But his] size is not ideal.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u25aa NFL Network\u2019s Daniel Jeremiah: \u201cAll 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\u2019s 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u25aa NFL Network\u2019s Charles Davis: \u201cGot better and better throughout his career.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u25aa NFL.com\u2019s Lance Zierlein: \u201cRodriguez arrived in college as an offensive athlete and leaves Texas Tech as a bigger-than-life, stat-stuffing linebacker. He\u2019s uniquely productive, with elite tackle, interception and forced fumble production. He\u2019ll occasionally bounce out of a run fit when chasing action, but he has the burst to race back inside and finish. He\u2019s slippery working off blocks and navigating combo climbers. His lateral pursuit leaves the station on time and with a fast take-off.<\/p>\n
\u201cRodriguez displays ballhawking instincts and outstanding hands but busted coverages were part of the package in 2025. His unbridled urgency and \u2018make every play\u2019 mindset can inflate missed tackle totals, but the production should outweigh the occasional headaches. He projects as a long-term starting inside linebacker.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u25aa ESPN\u2019s Matt Miller, who mocked him 46th: \u201cRodriguez 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u25aa The Athletic\u2019s Dane Brugler: \u201cRodriguez 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
This story was originally published April 24, 2026 at 8:08 PM.<\/p>\n