PITTSBURGH — The Miami Dolphins’ linebacker group just got much more physical.
The Dolphins’ lone second-round pick Friday (No. 43 overall) was Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez.
At 6-foot-1, 231 pounds, Rodriguez, 23, forced 13 fumbles, recovered five and had six interceptions in his career as a Red Raider.
Rodriguez’s seven forced fumbles in the 2025 season tied a single-season NCAA record.
The Hastings, Minnesota native previously played quarterback for the Virginia Cavaliers.
He was voted the 2025 Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year and won the 2025 Chuck Bednarik Award, given to the top defensive player in college football.
Rodriguez will join a linebacker group anchored by Jordyn Brooks, who led the Dolphins with 183 tackles last season.
As of Friday, the Dolphins’ draft capital includes:
- Round 1, No. 12: Alabama OT Kadyn Proctor (trade with Dallas)
- Round 1, No. 27: San Diego State CB Chris Johnson (trade with San Francisco)
- Round 2: No. 43: Texas Tech LB Jacob Rodriguez
- Round 3: Nos. 75, 87, 94
- Round 4: Nos. 130, 138
- Round 5: Nos. 151, 177 (Dallas), 180 (Dallas)
- Round 7: Nos. 227, 238
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