Miami Dolphins head coach Jeff Hafley named Jacob Rodriguez the biggest draft surprise for the team.
The Miami Dolphins picked 13 players in the 2026 NFL Draft, which is the second-highest in organization history. The top is 14, which happened in 1997, and contained Hall of Famer Jason Taylor.
With those 13 players, there was one who stood out to Dolphins head coach Jeff Hafley. While being a guest on "The Richard Sherman Podcast," where he broke down how he was shocked that Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rogdriguez landed in the team's lap.
"Oh, there's probably if one guy I didn't think would be there when we took him was probably Rodriguez. I would have thought I would have be thought I thought he would have been picked sooner," Hafley said.
There were many analysts and pundits who were not only shocked by the Rodriguez pick but were just as surprised that the award-winning linebacker fell to the Dolphins in the second round.
Rodriguez won practically every postseason college award, minus the Heisman Trophy, as he secured the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, which is awarded to the top defensive player in college. The Butkus Award, which is given to the top linebackers in football, the Lombardi Award, given to the top lineman or linebacker in college, and the Chuck Bednarik Award, given to the top defensive player.
Simply put, Rodriguez won all of these awards following his spectacular season of 117 tackles, one sack, six passes defended, four interceptions, seven forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries.
Hafley's shock was also due to how he views the future of Rodriguez, which is high.
"Just his college tape, I think the upside, I think the potential, I think the leadership capability, the playmaking ability, the production. Um, I thought he would have been gone by that pick. So when he was still there, that one we were all pretty excited about that pick," Hafley said.
The Dolphins did not have a major need at inside linebacker due to having Tyrel Dodson and 2025 leading tackler Jordyn Brooks, but this was a case of taking the best player available.
Rodriguez, now pairing with Brooks and Dodson, could turn the linebacker unit into one of the best, if the Texas Tech prospect's work ethic and playing habits transfer over. Not every college player hits the ground running in the NFL, but he has the chance to become a strong component of this young Dolphins defense.
Hafley clearly sees the huge benefit from adding such a player, and considering he is a defensive minded coach, it is not at all shocking that he spoke so highly of the Red Raiders prospect.