The 2026 NFL Draft may be just over ten days old, but the jersey sales are already telling a compelling story—and the Miami Dolphins are at the center of it. According to Fanatics, two of Miami's rookie defenders have cracked the top-10 list of best-selling rookie jerseys, signaling a wave of excitement among the Dolphins faithful.
Leading the charge is Chris Johnson, the 27th overall pick and a cornerback with shutdown potential. Johnson currently holds the No. 6 spot, a surprising but welcome development for a player selected later in the first round. Whether it's his elite talent or a surge of support from San Diego State fans, the sales numbers suggest he's already a fan favorite.
Even more striking is the presence of Jacob Rodriguez, the Dolphins' second-round pick (43rd overall) from Texas Tech. Without a single NFL snap to his name, Rodriguez has already made a splash. His aggressive, hard-hitting style, paired with a trademark mustache and flashy gear reminiscent of a create-a-player video game, has made him an instant cult hero in Miami. It's rare to see a linebacker crack the top selling jerseys list so quickly, but Rodriguez's personality and play style have clearly resonated.
Meanwhile, the Dolphins' other first-round pick, offensive tackle Kadyn Proctor (12th overall), didn't make the list—but the team's draft-day trade with Dallas, which sent the 11th pick to the Cowboys for an extra fifth-rounder, allowed Dallas to select safety Caleb Downs. Downs now owns the No. 1 selling rookie jersey, a twist that Dolphins fans might view with mixed emotions.
For a team that saw a roster overhaul this offseason, these jersey sales offer a glimpse of hope. While some fans may be hesitant to invest in new gear after losing key players, the early demand for Johnson and Rodriguez jerseys shows that Miami's rookie class is already generating serious buzz. Whether it's Johnson's lockdown potential or Rodriguez's mustache-fueled swagger, the Dolphins have two defenders who are selling jerseys—and hope—in equal measure.