Dolphins' Jacob Rodriguez Leads NFL in Major Defensive Stat

Miami Dolphins rookie linebacker Jacob Rodriguez was not awarded Defensive Rookie of the Month in September, which went to Tennessee Titans' Anthony Hill Jr.

Despite having more tackles for loss and an interception, Rodriguez was not given that honor. However, he could be well on his way to getting that and more due to leading the NFL in a major stat, as he leads the league with 24 defensive stops.

Per Pro Football Focus, the rookie Dolphins linebacker is leading the NFL by a significant margin in defensive stops. A defensive stop is considered a tackle that results in a failed play by the offense.

PFF has a specific way of analyzing a defensive stop. Here are some of the criteria pulled from the explainer on this metric:

With that as a measurement, the Dolphins rookie leads the league with 24. This is six more than the next closest, which is Houston Texans star pass rusher Will Anderson Jr. 

Rodriguez has been one of the strongest tacklers thus far in 2026. Multiple performances show him not only getting these defensive stops but also being one of the most violent tacklers in the league.

In terms of total tackles, Rodriguez is also second in the NFL with 46 total. He has three tackles for loss and one interception.

Rodriguez may not have won Defensive Rookie of the Month, but he is on pace to potentially run away with Defensive Rookie of the Year.

When the former Texas Tech Red Raider was drafted, many analysts called the Dolphins' pick one of the best of the draft; thus far through four games, that fact continues to be shown.

Rodriguez was given the green dot, which is reserved for linebackers who call the defense. This also led to the release of Tyrel Dodson. At first, that move seemed to be a bit strange for Miami, but it has worked out.

Rodriguez is a special talent and is proving that he can be the kind of leader and player who can turn this Dolphins organization around. While the team is struggling with a 0-4 record, they are cultivating a young and dynamic roster.

Rodriguez is at the head of that culture change.