Dolphins rookie Jacob Rodriguez forces fumble in loss to Patriots

MIAMI GARDENS ― The Miami Dolphins hosted the New England Patriots on Sunday, Nov. 1, with 13 rookies dressed. Miami had to play without standout rookie left guard Kadyn Proctor , who did not clear concussion protocol before the game. Rookie tight end Justin Joly was inactive. Miami lost 24-19, despite holding a lead of 13-3 at halftime. Patriots quarterback Drake Maye had touchdown passes of 43 and 48 yards in the second half as Miami's secondary was exploited. Maye was excellent despite an in-game injury to tight end Hunter Henry and the injury-related absences of A.J. Brown, TreVeyon Henderson, Mack Hollins and Romeo Doubs. Miami is 1-6. New England is 5-3. Miami Dolphins  rookies report card vs. New England Patriots CB  Chris Johnson Chris Johnson was called for illegal contact in the second quarter. Johnson had a clear shot at New England quarterback Drake Maye but missed on a sack chance. Late in the third quarter, Johnson appeared to tackle a receiver short of a 4th-down conversion inside Miami's 25-yard line. But it was overturned on replay and the Patriots were awarded a first-down spot. Grade: C+ LB  Jacob Rodriguez Jacob Rodriguez forced Patriots wide receiver Efton Chism III to fumble with a punch in the first quarter. The ball was recovered by Miami cornerback JuJu Brents. Grade: B+ WR Chris Bell Chris Bell caught a short, third-down screen in the first quarter but was unable to convert. Then Bell caught another third-down pass but came up just short of a conversion, leading to a first-quarter field goal. Grade: B WR Caleb Douglas Caleb Douglas had his first catch of the day late in the first half, and it went for 6 yards. Then Douglas caught a key pass in the Patriots' red zone just before half, for 18 yards. Grade: B WR Kevin Coleman Kevin Coleman converted a third down reception in the second quarter. Coleman caught a 35-yard touchdown from Willis with about two minutes to play. Grade: B S/LB Kyle Louis Kyle Louis was on the field on defense on Miami's second defensive snap. Later, Louis was tackling a Patriots receiver when his rookie classmate, Jacob Rodriguez, forced a fumble that the team recovered. Louis had three tackles. Grade: B S  Michael Taaffe Michael Taaffe tackled Drake Maye short of a first down, forcing a field goal attempt by New England late in the second quarter. The field goal attempt was missed. Taaffe was in coverage when Maye completed a 43-yard touchdown to receiver Kyle Williams which brought the Patriots within 13-10 in the third quarter. Taaffe was involved in coverage on a 26-completion from Maye to DeMario Douglas in the third quarter. Trader, JuJu Brents and Dante Trader were split by DeMario Douglas on a 48-yard touchdown from Maye in the fourth quarter to life New England to a 24-13 lead in the fourth quarter. Grade: C Joe Schad: Savaiinaea goes from 8 sacks allowed to 0; Dolphins didn't give up Revenge on his mind? Malik Willis facing ex-head coach Mike Vrabel in Dolphins-Patriots Rookie star: Caleb Douglas draws Randy Moss comparison after 2-TD Dolphins game Joe Schad is a journalist covering the  Miami Dolphins  and the NFL at  The Palm Beach Post . You can reach him at  jschad@pbpost.com  and follow him on  Threads  and  Instagram   and  X  at @sc hadjoe