The Miami Dolphins selected Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez with pick No. 43 in the second round of the 2026 NFL draft. Although linebacker was not the most immediate need for the Dolphins, Rodriguez has an extremely high ceiling as a second-round pick and will have a chance to impact the Miami defense this upcoming season.

Rodriguez is coming off a spectacular 2025 season in which he was named the Big-12 Defensive Player of the Year and a unanimous All-American. He has been one of the best defensive players in college football over the last two seasons, being named first team All-Big 12 in both 2024 and 2025.

Rodriguez started all 14 games for the Red Raiders last season, totaling 128 tackles, 11 tackles for loss and a sack. He was also a force in creating turnovers with four interceptions and an FBS-leading seven forced fumbles. He finished in fifth place in voting for the Heisman Trophy.

Rodriguez joins a Miami linebacker group that features 2025 All-Pro Jordyn Brooks, who led the league with 183 tackles a season ago. This group also features veterans like Tyrel Dodson and Willie Gay Jr. Rodriguez will be able to learn from the valuable experience this group has to offer.

This is an extremely exciting pick for the Dolphins, one that will draw headlines leading up to training camp. Rodriguez has the potential to be a great player in Miami for a long time if he can tune his skills and physicality up to the NFL level.

More Dolphins: Dolphins 2026 NFL Draft tracker: Pick-by-pick analysis

This article originally appeared on Dolphins Wire: Instant analysis on the Dolphins drafting LB Jacob Rodriguez