After trading wide receiver Jaylen Waddle to the Denver Broncos earlier this offseason, the Miami Dolphins entered the 2026 NFL draft with two first-round picks, and they took offensive tackle Kadyn Proctor and cornerback Chris Johnson.
While both will likely be starters for the opening snaps of the team’s 2026 campaign, the Dolphins also grabbed a few players on Day 2 that could play prominent roles as rookies as well.
The first of Miami’s four selection on the second day of the draft came at No. 43 when they took Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez, and ESPN NFL analyst Louis Riddick is a big fan of the former Red Raider.
“The No. 1 thing I loved about this dude is his point of attack play,” Riddick said. “This dude is a turnover machine. He gets the ball out better than anyone, can catch the ball as well as any linebacker in the draft. He’s just a flat out playmaker.”
Rodriguez spent one year at Virginia before finishing his career with four at Texas Tech. He filled his trophy case this past year, earning Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year, All-American honors, the Chuck Bednarik Award, the Lombardi Award, the Butkus Award and the Bronko Nagurski Trophy.
Speaking to his turnover ability, Rodriguez forced 13 fumbles, including an FBS-leading seven in 2025, and recorded six interceptions in 56 games.
Dolphins general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan also stated in his post-draft press conference that Rodriguez will be will likely be leading the defense in the near future, meaning we’ll have a chance to see him taking the ball away from offenses soon.
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This article originally appeared on Dolphins Wire: NFL draft analyst calls Dolphins Day-2 pick a ‘turnover machine’
Reporting by Mike Masala, Dolphins Wire / Dolphins Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
