​INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – FEBRUARY 26: Jacob Rodriguez of the Texas Tech Red Raiders participates in a drill during the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 26, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) GettyThe Miami Dolphins defying expectations in the 2026 season will primarily come down to their unproven players.For the Dolphins, that is not a negative thing, but instead something they opted for when they underwent their roster makeover this offseason.With a large number of rookie players, the team is expecting its rookie class to deliver and show promise in 2026 with the hope of building a sustainable foundation for years to come. Now, one of the rookies that the team is hoping is one of those pillars going forward has drawn a strong take from a Dolphins analyst.Miami Dolphins Rookie Linebacker Impresses at Training Camp
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The Palm Beach Post’s Miami Dolphins journalist Joe Schad posted on X: “Jacob Rodriguez is a menace.”This comes after Rodriguez reportedly started at linebacker alongside All-Pro Jordyn Brooks during the team’s ninth day of training camp.Regarding Rodriguez’s impressive training camp, Schad wrote: “Miami Dolphins rookie linebacker Jacob Rodriguez continues to be an absolute menace during training camp practices. In his first practice action at Hard Rock Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 8, J-Rod was a magnet to the ball …It’s impossible to overlook or overstate how ready Rodriguez seems”Schad then added: “It’s going to be nearly impossible to keep Rodriguez off the field, starting with the season opener at Las Vegas on Sunday, September 13. That’s not bad for a guy who played 12 games at quarterback for Virginia in 2021.It’s a neat story but it’s much, much more than that now. It’s clear Rodriguez is on track to become an impactful NFL linebacker and a strong second-round draft pick.”Schad was not the only media member to notice Rodriguez’s impact, Dolphins on SI’s Alain Poupart wrote: “Rookie linebacker Jacob Rodriguez is coming on, and he continued his good work right away with a pass breakup and a run tackle on the first set of reps for Willis.”With 128 tackles, seven forced fumbles and three total touchdowns, Rodriguez was one of the most exciting players in college football during the 2025 season, which resulted in him finishing fifth in Heisman Trophy voting. Now, that appears to be translating well at the NFL level. Miami Dolphins Rookie ClassRegarding the Dolphins’ rookie class overall, the Miami Herald’s Omar Kelly wrote: “Receiver Caleb Douglas flashed a number of times during camp’s first week, as did linebacker Jacob Rodiguez, and safety Michael Taaffe. And cornerback Chris Johnson, offensive guard Kadyn Proctor, strong side linebacker Trey Moore, tight end Will Kacmarek are all viewed as frontrunners to hold starting spots, or prominent roles. The hope is that the rookies will steadily im