A Brief History Of The Miami Dolphins And Rookie Of The Year Award Winners

This episode of Locked On Dolphins explores the franchise's sparse history with NFL Rookie of the Year awards, revealing that only three Miami Dolphins players have ever won the honor—two defensive players (A.J. Dewey in 1977, Tim Bowens in 1994) and one offensive player (Troy Stratford in 1987). Since 1994, no Dolphins player has claimed the award, highlighting a long drought. Host Kyle Krabs analyzes the 2026 Dolphins roster, identifying Jacob Rodriguez as the top defensive rookie candidate due to his elite college accolades and potential to outperform established players like Tyrell Dotson. Rodriguez’s pedigree—winning every major college defensive award, including the Butkus and Bednarik—positions him as a strong contender, especially if he starts and produces at a high level. Offensively, the Dolphins’ wide receiver depth and lack of a clear No. 1 target make it unlikely any rookie will dominate statistically, though players like Caleb Douglas could see meaningful snaps. The episode draws parallels to the 2023 Green Bay Packers, who spread targets among multiple young receivers, suggesting a similar approach for Miami. Despite the challenges, the defensive side offers the clearest path to a Rookie of the Year award in 2026.