Dolphins gush over addition of LB Jacob Rodriguez in the second round

The Miami Dolphins made two picks on the first day of the 2026 NFL draft, taking offensive tackle Kadyn Proctor and cornerback Chris Johnson, but the Dolphins brass seem just as fired up about second-round pick Jacob Rodriguez.

"I can't say enough good things about Jacob, and I think more importantly, the people that have been around him for the time that they have at Texas Tech and the things they say about him, not only as a football player and the intangibles, but the type of person he is – the tape speaks for itself, he's all over the field," general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan said after the selection. "He makes plays everywhere. His instincts are second to none. He can play in space, on third downs, and he's going to help this football team. But he's a leader. He's a green dot guy. He'll call the defense in time, and I think he'll fit really well in the room with (Jordyn) Brooks and 'T. Dot' (Tyrel Dodson) and he'd be a great addition to the Miami Dolphins."

Rodriguez loaded up his trophy shelf in his final year with the Red Raiders, earning All-American honors and taking home the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Butkus Award, Lombardi Award and Chuck Bednarik Award.

"Outgoing, a leader, sets the example," Sullivan said. "He leads through his actions, so when he does speak, he carries weight with his teammates. His work ethic, his energy, his practice habits, those are the things that are all second to none when you talk to the people who are around him every day. Very, very intelligent football player, can call the defense. He's the guy you want running the show. Then again, his ability to communicate not only with the coaching staff, but with his teammates, they follow him. He's a voice. He has a very good way about him, and then his actions meet his words, his words meet his actions.

"So he's easy to follow because he's going to do what he said he's going to do, and then most importantly, on Saturday, now Sunday, he shows up in a big way. It's one thing to do a bunch of talking, but when you talk and you don't perform, that's empty after a while. This guy just shows up every time he steps on the field in a big way. He's very productive, and I think that's easy to follow when you're his teammate. But yeah, they love him at the school. I can't say enough good things. He's a very good person and he's got great intangibles when it comes to his craft."