MIAMI GARDENS — The Miami Dolphins selected Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez with their second-round pick, No. 43 overall.
Rodriguez is a 6-foot-1 3/8, 231-pounder from Wichita Falls, Texas.
Jacob Rodriguez scouting report
Rodriguez was an Associated Press All-American and the Big 12 devednsi e play ov the year.
He won the Bronko Nagurski Trophy as the top defender in the nation.
Rodriguez showed a knack for game-changing plays. He led FBS with seven forced fumbles. He also had 11 tackles for loss, four interceptions and six pass break-ups.
Rodriguez’s wife, Emma, is a helicopter pilot in the Arm and his father also served.
Rodriguez missed eight games in 2023 with a Lisfranc injury to his foot.
But he came back in 2024 to make All-Big 12 and rank third in FBS with 77 solo tackles and 127 total tackles. He also had 10.5 tackles for loss.
Rodriguez will need to be more disciplined in coverage.
How Jacob Rodriguez fits with Dolphins
The Dolphins are set at inside linebacker with Jordyn Brooks, whom GM Jon-Eric Sullivan considers one of the team’s foundational players along with De’Von Achane and Aaron Brewer.
The addition of Rodriguez means in a 4-3 alignment, he could see action along with Tyrel Dodson.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Jacob Rodriguez picked by Dolphins in NFL draft Round 2: How LB fits
Reporting by Hal Habib, Palm Beach Post / Palm Beach Post
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
