Dolphins rookie linebacker Jacob Rodriguez leads the NFL with 57 total tackles after five weeks. He has 25 solo stops and 32 assisted, according to league defensive statistics through Monday night.
Miami took Rodriguez out of Texas Tech in the second round, 43rd overall, in the 2026 draft. He has started fast on a team that has not: the Dolphins are 0-5.
Total tackle leaders after Week 5
| # | Player | Team | Tackles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jacob Rodriguez | MIA | 57 |
| 2 | Alex Singleton | DEN | 54 |
| 3 | Fred Warner | SF | 50 |
| 3 | Ernest Jones IV | SEA | 50 |
| 5 | Evan Williams | GB | 49 |
| 6 | Anthony Hill Jr. | TEN | 47 |
| 7 | Payton Wilson | PIT | 46 |
| 8 | Akeem Davis-Gaither | IND | 44 |
| 8 | Nakobe Dean | LV | 44 |
| 10 | Jordyn Brooks | MIA | 43 |
| 10 | Jack Campbell | DET | 43 |
| 10 | Carson Schwesinger | CLE | 43 |
Rodriguez, game by game
| Week | Opponent | Result | Total | Solo | Ast | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | at LV | L 27-13 | 14 | 5 | 9 | |
| 2 | at SF | L 35-13 | 8 | 3 | 5 | |
| 3 | vs. KC | L 24-10 | 6 | 4 | 2 | INT of Patrick Mahomes |
| 4 | at MIN | L 15-10 | 18 | 9 | 9 | Season high |
| 5 | vs. CIN | L 31-24 | 11 | 4 | 7 | |
| Total | 0-5 | 57 | 25 | 32 | 3 TFL |
Two Dolphins in the top 10
Rodriguez is not the only Miami linebacker on the board. Jordyn Brooks is tied for 10th with 43 tackles, so the Dolphins have 100 between their two linebackers.
Rodriguez’s only interception so far came in Week 3 against Kansas City, when he picked off Mahomes and returned it 18 yards. He also has three tackles for loss.
The bye could cost him the lead
Miami is off in Week 6 and does not play again until Oct. 25 against the Jets. Singleton and Jones meet Thursday night when Denver plays Seattle, and Warner plays Monday night against Washington. Any of them could pass Rodriguez before he plays again.
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