Dolphins rookie Jacob Rodriguez forces fumble in loss to Patriots

On Sunday, November 1, the Miami Dolphins faced the New England Patriots at Miami Gardens. The game featured 13 rookies from the Dolphins, who played without Kadyn Proctor, who did not pass concussion protocol. Justin Joly, a rookie tight end, was also inactive.

The Dolphins emerged victorious with a final score of 24-19, despite trailing 13-3 at halftime. New England's quarterback, Drake Maye, connected on touchdown passes of 43 and 48 yards in the second half, as the Dolphins' defense struggled to contain him. The team's secondary was particularly exploited.

Maye remained excellent despite a fourth-quarter injury to tight end Hunter Henry and other injuries that affected A.J. Brown, TreVeyon Henderson, Mack Hollins, and Romeo Doubs. The Miami Dolphins entered the game with a record of 1-6, while New England stood at 5-3.

Rookie cornerback Chris Johnson received a grade of C+ for the game. He was called for illegal contact in the second quarter and missed a sack attempt on Maye. Johnson also appeared to tackle a receiver short of a fourth-down conversion inside Miami's 25-yard line, but the call was overturned, granting the Patriots a first-down spot.

Linebacker Jacob Rodriguez had a notable performance with a grade of B+. In the first quarter, he forced Patriots wide receiver Efton Chism III to fumble, with Miami cornerback JuJu Brents recovering the ball. Later, Rodriguez tackled a Patriots receiver when his rookie classmate, Caleb Douglas, forced a fumble that the team recovered. Overall, Rodriguez contributed three tackles on the defensive side of the ball.

Wide receivers Chris Bell, Caleb Douglas, and Kevin Coleman each received a grade of B. Bell had a difficult game, failing to convert on two third-down catches and missing a field goal opportunity. Douglas made his first catch of the game in the first half, gaining six yards on a short, third-down screen. In the first quarter, he caught another third-down pass, but he came up just short of a conversion, leading to a field goal.

Coleman converted a third-down reception in the second quarter and had a key 18-yard catch in the red zone before halftime.

Rookie linebacker Kyle Louis received a grade of B, as he was active on defense for Miami's second defensive snap. Later, Louis tackled a Patriots receiver when Rodriguez forced a fumble, which Miami recovered. Louis recorded three tackles during the game.