Current Draft Pick Past Miami Dolphins Players Comparisons

TL;DR

Miami Dolphins' linebacker Jacob Rodriguez is being compared to franchise legend Zach Thomas. The article discusses the implications of such comparisons for new players and invites readers to suggest other comparisons for the 2026 draft class.

Key points

Jacob Rodriguez is a linebacker from Texas Tech.
He is compared to Dolphins legend Zach Thomas.
The article discusses the 2026 Dolphins draft class.

Miami Dolphins

Miami Dolphins linebacker Zack Thomas looks across the line of scrimmage during a game against the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park, New York on December 17, 2006. Buffalo won the game 21-0. (Photo by Mark Konezny/NFLPhotoLibrary) | Getty Images I suspect it’s human nature. Anyone who comes along in any sport will eventually be compared to someone who has played it before. I don’t know if it’s fair to whoever the current player is, as they are often compared to past greats before playing a single down at the professional level. This would seem to set a ceiling for some of these players that ultimately proves unattainable. This, in turn, may cause a fan base to view the player less favorably than they might otherwise, even if the player proves to be solid despite never reaching the level of play of the past player they are compared to. This is obviously being done to a recent draft pick, the linebacker out of Texas Tech, Jacob Rodriquez. Rodriquez is being compared to long-time Miami Dolphins great Zach Thomas. While this seems like a lofty level for any new LB in the league to aspire to, I, for one, hope that he, at the very least, is a good-to-great player for years to come, who also gives us the same kind of vibes. But what of the rest of the 2026 Dolphins draft class?

Pick #12 Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama
Pick #27 Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego State
Pick #43 Jacob Rodriguez, LB, Texas Tech
Pick #75 Caleb Douglas, WR, Texas Tech
Pick #75 Will Kacmarek, TE, Oklahoma State
Pick #94 Chris Bell, WR, Louisville
Pick #130 Trey Moore, Edge, Texas
Pick #138 Kyle Louis, LB, Pittsburgh
Pick #158 Michael Taaffe, S, Texas
Pick #177 Kevin Coleman Jr., WR, Missouri
Pick #180 Seydon Traore, TE, Mississippi State
Pick #200 DJ Campbell, G, Texas
Pick #238 Max Llewellyn, Edge, Iowa So this evening’s Phinsider Question Of The Day is: **Assuming Jacom Rodriguez is comparable at this point to Zach Thomas (unless you have a better/different comparison for him), what other comparisons would you make for the other players from the Miami Dolphins’ 2026 NFL Draft class? This comparison can be a former Dolphins player or any other NFL player, or, I guess, really anyone.** Please share your thoughts and answers in the comments section below-

Q&A

Who is Jacob Rodriguez and why is he compared to Zach Thomas?

Jacob Rodriguez is a linebacker from Texas Tech, and he is being compared to Zach Thomas, a legendary Miami Dolphins player, due to expectations surrounding his performance.

What are the picks in the Miami Dolphins' 2026 NFL Draft class?

The 2026 Miami Dolphins draft class includes players like Kadyn Proctor, Chris Johnson, Jacob Rodriguez, and several others across various positions.

How do player comparisons affect new NFL players like Jacob Rodriguez?

Comparisons to past greats can create high expectations for new players, potentially leading to unfair evaluations if they do not meet those lofty standards.