Jacob Rodriguez may be on track to do more than simply win a starting job for the Dolphins in 2026.
Miami has had plenty of solid linebackers over the years, but the last truly great one came with Zach Thomas running the show. That could change in a hurry. By 2026, the Dolphins might be looking at a pair of standout linebackers, with Jordyn Brooks already established as the leader and Rodriguez arriving as the rookie with the buzz.
The connection is a funny one: Brooks, Rodriguez and Thomas all came out of Texas Tech.
Dolphins fans already know what Brooks brings. The real question is whether Rodriguez can live up to the hype that’s followed him into the league.
The rookie second-round pick has already done enough in offseason work to get people talking about him as a possible Defensive Rookie of the Year candidate. That’s a big label, but it’s one that fits the kind of early impact he’s shown he can make.
Tyrel Dodson is the immediate hurdle in front of him. Dodson performed well alongside Brooks last season and appears likely to keep the starting job through camp and into the opening stretch of the season.
Still, Rodriguez is the kind of player who’s too talented to leave sitting. At some point, whether it happens in camp or later, he should take over.
That has naturally sparked questions about Dodson’s future. He’s in the last year of his contract and could be moved during camp.
If Rodriguez gets the chance, the Dolphins expect production. He plays with a relentless motor and brings real pop as a hitter. He also has a knack for forcing turnovers, thanks to an elite punch and strong ball skills for a linebacker.
The tackling should come, too. Rodriguez moves well, sees the field clearly and reacts fast.
At Texas Tech, he rarely drifted out of position. His intelligence lets him diagnose the play at the snap, and his athleticism helps him close in a hurry.
With Brooks under contract for three more seasons, Miami could end up with one of the NFL’s best tackling linebacker groups. The only thing left is Rodriguez taking Dodson’s spot. That would still leave the Dolphins in a strong position, with Dodson offering depth, experience and another steady voice for the rookie.
The upside here is obvious. Rodriguez has the traits that usually point toward a future Pro Bowl linebacker.
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