MIAMI GARDENS ― Miami Dolphins rookie linebacker Jacob Rodriguez continues to be an absolute menace during training camp practices.
In his first practice action at Hard Rock Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 8, J-Rod was a magnet to the ball.
Jacob Rodriguez tipped a pass from Malik Willis.
Later, Rodriguez was in position to stop a Willis quarterback draw.
Later still, Rodriguez was perfectly positioned to stop De’Von Achane at the goal line.
It’s impossible to overlook or overstate how ready Rodriguez seems.
“It seems like he’s making plays every single day out there,” Dolphins center Aaron Brewer said after practice. “He’s a dawg. He’s been flying around. He plays physically, plays with his hands, and he’s a real-life football player. And as everybody’s seen him from college and from what we see in the training camp now, he’s a dawg and he has all of my trust.”
After nine training camp practices, Rodriguez has Brewer’s trust.
That says it all.
Rodriguez, 23, is very mature for his age.
“Jacob’s like the like the dad of the group,” veteran linebacker Tyrel Dodson said of the rookie class.
Since his arrival as a second-round pick, Rodriguez has been forcing turnovers.
Jacob Rodriguez impressing at Miami Dolphins training camp
Rodriguez is smart and savvy, routinely filling gaps and dropping into great pass coverage location.
“He’s got really good timing and is very instinctual,” Dolphins coach Jeff Hafley said.
It’s going to be nearly impossible to keep Rodriguez off the field, starting with the season opener at Las Vegas on Sunday, September 13.
That’s not bad for a guy who played 12 games at quarterback for Virginia in 2021.
It’s a neat story but it’s much, much more than that now. It’s clear Rodriguez is on track to become an impactful NFL linebacker and a strong second-round draft pick.
Joe Schad is a journalist covering the Miami Dolphins and the NFL at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at jschad@pbpost.com and follow him on Instagram and on X @schadjoe. Sign up for Joe’s free weekly Dolphins Pulse Newsletter. Help support our work by subscribing today.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Miami Dolphins linebacker Jacob Rodriguez is everywhere. Already.
Reporting by Joe Schad, Palm Beach Post / Palm Beach Post
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Joe Schad, Palm Beach Post | USA TODAY Network
