The Miami Dolphins have had the soft opening to their 2026 training camp, with the rookies reporting to the team’s training facility last week. While the rest of the team is set to descend on Miami Gardens this week, the excitement for fans as training camp begins is growing. Last week, we wanted to tap into some of that excitement, asking which Dolphins early-round drafted rookie you are most excited to see in camp.
The Dolphins might not be expected to contend this year, with FanDuel Sportsbook’s
latest betting odds having Miami as the AFC team the least likely to make the playoffs this year (+1500 – double the odds of the next closest team, the New York Jets), but that does not mean there are not exciting things to watch this year. Miami has started a rebuild period, moving on from the Mike McDaniel era and transitioning into the vision of new head coach Jeff Hafley. A necessary part of that transition is the move from veterans to younger players who will grow into the system.
And Miami made a deliberate move to younger players, especially when you consider their 13 drafted rookies and 12 undrafted free agent signings. But, which first-, second-, or third-round selection most excites you for this summer?
Linebacker Jacob Rodriguez dominated the vote, coming in just a little under a majority. The second-round pick received a larger share of the responses than first-round picks guard Kaydn Proctor and cornerback Chris Johnson combined. Third round wide receiver Caleb Douglas was fourth with nine percent of the vote, followed by third-round tight end Will Kacmarek with three percent, and and third-round wide receiver Chris Bell rounded out the group with two percent of the vote.
Rodriguez, coming to the Dolphins out of Texas Tech, finished fifth in the 2025 Heieman Trophy vote and won the Chuck Bednarik, Butkus, Lombardi, and Bronko Nagurski awards. He brings with him playmaker expectations and an ability to join a legacy of success at the linebacker position for the Dolphins from Texas Tech products – including Hall of Fame linebacker Zach Thomas and current starter and All-Pro Jordyn Brooks.
Are you excited to see Rodriguez this summer? What are your expectations for him? Should we be watching a different rookie when the Dolphins get on the practice field? Head to the comments to let us know your thoughts.
