MLB · Miami Dolphins vs Kansas City Chiefs · 57 graded snaps
Solid
Rodriguez was an impactful downhill run stopper with multiple tackles for loss, but repeated undisciplined bites against play-action passing limited his overall grade to a solid 70.1.
Rodriguez anchored the middle with high-level run defense (80 grade), highlighted by blowing up backfield plays at Q3 9:01 (-1 yard) and Q4 13:09 (-6 yards). He also provided a splash in pass defense by securing a deflected interception and returning it 18 yards at Q2 2:00. However, his coverage facet lagged at 59 because he repeatedly vacated his zone on run fakes, immediately conceding a 48-yard strike to Travis Kelce on the opening play (Q1 14:55) and a 24-yarder to Noah Gray at Q4 13:47. A pair of missed second-level tackles on Kenneth Walker III, including a touchdown slip at Q1 12:57, further held his mark back.
Strengths
Downhill gap shooting
Backfield run stops
Lateral scrape and pursuit
Weaknesses
Susceptible to play-action fakes
Inconsistent tackling in space
Plays that moved the grade
+2Q4 13:09, 1st & 8Exploded through perimeter traffic on an outside pitch to tackle Kenneth Walker III for a 6-yard loss.
+2Q2 02:00, 2nd & 8Located a tipped ball in his middle hook drop to secure an interception and return it 18 yards.
-1.5Q1 14:55, 1st & 10Bit hard downhill on a play-action fake, vacating the middle third and allowing a 48-yard completion to Travis Kelce.
Every graded snap · 19 wins or losses, 38 routine
-1.5Q1 14:55 · 1 & 10 · CoverageBites downhill heavily on the play-action fake, vacating the middle third and allowing Kelce to cross wide open behind him.
+0.5Q1 13:34 · 2 & 5 · Run defenseDiagnoses the run direction quickly, scrapes laterally over trash, and joins Uche to bring the runner down.
-1Q1 12:57 · 3 & 1 · Run defenseShoots into the alley cleanly but fails to wrap up, slipping off Walker's lower body at the 5-yard line.
+0.5Q1 03:27 · 1 & 10 · Run defenseReads run quickly, triggers downhill into the A-gap, and meets the back near the line to secure the tackle.
-0.5Q2 13:02 · 2 & 5 · CoverageDrops into the middle but fails to squeeze the window on Walker's break across the formation.
-0.3Q2 09:22 · 1 & 10 · CoverageSucked up by the play-action mesh point, allowing Gray to cross his face uncovered.
+0.5Q2 06:58 · 3 & 1 · Run defenseAttacks downhill into the trash, absorbing the block of Noah Gray to keep the running lane closed.
Q2 06:15 · 4 & 1 · Run defenseFills downhill aggressively into the mess of linemen to support the stop.
-0.5Q2 03:10 · 1 & 10 · Run defenseFlows laterally toward the ball but gets caught behind the trash and cannot close down the sideline alley in time.
+2Q2 02:00 · 2 & 8 · CoverageDrops into the middle hole, locates the tipped ball out of Trader's deflection, secures the interception, and returns it 18 yards into KC territory.
+0.5Q2 00:44 · 1 & 13 · Run defenseReads run immediately and flows cleanly into the play-side gap to close off any potential cutback.
+2Q3 09:01 · 2 & 7 · Run defenseDiagnosed the direct snap instantly at the snap, triggered downhill through the A-gap untouched, and wrapped up Walker in the backfield for a 1-yard loss.
+0.8Q3 03:11 · 1 & 10 · CoverageTakes a disciplined middle zone drop, closing the throwing window and deterring Mahomes from a comfortable throw.
-1Q4 14:20 · 1 & 10 · Run defenseMisses the tackle opportunity in the hole as Walker cuts laterally and slips by into the secondary.
-0.8Q4 13:47 · 1 & 10 · CoverageDrawn in heavily by the run-action fake and shifts right with the quarterback, failing to recognize the leak release behind him.
+2Q4 13:09 · 1 & 8 · Run defenseOutstanding read and sideline-to-sideline trigger; explodes through the perimeter traffic to drop Walker 6 yards deep.
+1.5Q4 04:30 · 1 & 10 · Run defenseDiagnoses the stretch instantly, attacks the backfield off the tackle, and brings down Walker for a 1-yard loss.
+0.5Q4 03:52 · 2 & 11 · Run defenseQuickly decodes the screen action and flows aggressively toward the numbers to challenge the blocking convoy.
+1Q4 01:54 · 1 & 10 · Run defenseReads the run immediately, fills violently downhill into the A-gap, and stonewalls the running back at the line of scrimmage for no gain.