Steelers Named One Of Biggest Winners From NFL Draft Day Two
Pittsburgh Steelers Named Major Winners of NFL Draft Day Two
The Miami Dolphins selected linebacker Jacob Rodriguez with the 43rd pick in the 2026 NFL Draft after addressing other needs in the first round. Rodriguez, known for his toughness and playmaking ability, recorded impressive stats in college, making him a valuable addition to the Dolphins' defense.
After taking Alabama offensive tackle Kadyn Proctor and San Diego State cornerback Chris Johnson in the first round, the Miami Dolphins got a value pick in the second round when they took Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez.
With pick No. 43, the Dolphins selected the defensive playmaker. This is the type of young player you want to add to a defense that's looking to build after being 24th in points allowed this past season.
Rodriguez plays with toughness and emotion when he's on the field. His crushing tackles and high playmaking ability are reminiscent of Detroit Lions linebacker Jack Campbell.
In his past two seasons since becoming a full-time linebacker, Jacob dominated the stat sheet, posting 140 solo tackles, 21.5 tackles for loss, six sacks and five interceptions. These numbers are undeniable and show why Rodriguez was one of the best players in college football.
In 2025, Rodriguez was named the Big-12 Defensive Player of the Year, and took home the Lombardi Award, Butkus Award, Bronko Nagurski Trophy and Chuck Bednarik Award.
One of the things analysts have raised concerns about regarding Rodriguez's game is that he can get out of place chasing the big play. This is something Rodriguez can fix as he grows more into the position and matures in the NFL. It's also one of those things where it can look great on tape when his instincts are right or leave a huge gap when he guesses wrong.
With the Dolphins still a developing team, Rodriguez will have the opportunity to learn from his mistakes. This was a "gimme" pick for Miami and a major help to one of the bottom defenses in the 2025 regular season.
Jacob Rodriguez posted 140 solo tackles, 21.5 tackles for loss, six sacks, and five interceptions in his last two seasons.
The Dolphins selected Rodriguez to strengthen their defense, which ranked 24th in points allowed last season, and to add a young playmaker to their roster.
Rodriguez is noted for his toughness and emotional play, drawing comparisons to Detroit Lions linebacker Jack Campbell, highlighting his potential impact on the field.
Pittsburgh Steelers Named Major Winners of NFL Draft Day Two
Delhi Capitals captain Axar Patel won the toss and chose to bat first against Punjab Kings in IPL 2026. He acknowledged the team's tendency to make avoidable mistakes during the tournament.
Catch Penguins vs. Flyers Game 4: Channel, Stream & Start Time!
Lyon secures a 3-2 victory over Auxerre in Ligue 1!
Havaila claims victory in the Bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown!
See every story in Sports — including breaking news and analysis.
Final Grade: A
More Dolphins: Dolphins 2026 NFL Draft tracker: Pick-by-pick analysis
This article originally appeared on Dolphins Wire: NFL Draft: Grading the Dolphins pick of Jacob Rodriguez