When the Miami Dolphins walked away from the 2026 NFL Draft with a whopping 13 rookies—the second-largest class in franchise history—the message was clear: these young players are going to see the field. With salary cap constraints and a roster in transition, head coach Jeff Hafley has made no secret of his plans to lean heavily on this new wave of talent. But during a recent appearance on The Richard Sherman Podcast, Hafley was asked to name the one rookie who truly caught him off guard when he was still available on the board.

The answer? Linebacker Jacob Rodriguez, selected 43rd overall.

"One guy I didn't think would be there when we took him was probably Jacob Rodriguez," Hafley told the former All-Pro cornerback. "I would have thought he would have been picked sooner. Just his college tape, the upside, the potential, the leadership capability, the playmaking ability, the production. I thought he would have been gone by that pick. So when he was still there, we were all pretty excited."

That excitement wasn't just limited to the head coach. Assistant general manager described the war room as "buzzing" immediately after the selection—rare praise for a pick that comes with significant expectations. Rodriguez brings a strong pedigree to South Beach. He shares an alma mater with current Dolphins star Jordyn Brooks, and Hall of Famer Zach Thomas has served as a mentor to the young linebacker. That kind of lineage doesn't go unnoticed in Miami.

Whether Rodriguez claims a starting role out of training camp remains one of the most intriguing storylines to watch this summer. He'll face stiff competition from veterans Tyrel Dodson and Willie Gay Jr., not to mention fellow rookie Kyle Lo. But if Hafley's reaction is any indication, the Dolphins believe they found a steal—and they're ready to let him prove it on the field.