The Miami Dolphins have taken Texas Tech LB Jacob Rodriguez with the No. 43 pick in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
The Miami Dolphins kicked off their draft by taking Alabama tackle Kadyn Proctor with the No. 12 overall pick and San Diego State cornerback with the No. 27 overall pick.
Now, the team has made their first selection on Day 2, taking Texas Tech LB Jacob Rodriguez with the No. 43 overall pick.
Inside linebacker was not a big need for the Dolphins, but it looks as though general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan decided to go with best player available to kick off Day 2. Rodriguez won the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year in 2025, along with the Butkus and Lombardi Award.
Rodriguez finished the 2025 season with 128 total tackles, one sack, seven forced fumbles, six passes defended, and four interceptions. This includes a collegiate career of 317 total tackles, 25.5 tackles for loss, six sacks, six interceptions, nd 13 forced fumbles.
Rodriguez is a hugely productive linebacker that has perfected the "peanut punch." He is rangy and violent, and has the kind of build and temperment that Sullivan and head coach Jeff Hafley have been preaching about.
The Dolphins are in a major rebuild, and though they have deeper needs, this is a big pickup for the team. Rodriguez is the kind of player the defense can be built around.
On top of having Rodriguez, the Dolphins also have the NFL's leading tackler in Jordyn Brooks. With two highly productive linebackers, the defense can open the playbook for the pass rushers and secondary to lock things down in a major way.
Miami still needs to address the safety, wide receiver, and more, but Rodriguez is the kind of player that many teams may not have wanted to pass up. Instead of trading up, the Dolphins let the board fall to them.
They may have been considering other positions at No. 43, but picking up the Texas Tech prospect is a solid choice to usher in this new era of South Florida football.