Jacob Rodriguez On The Second Day Of The Draft
March 29th, 2026
All-American Texas Tech LB Jacob Rodriguez.
Last year Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez was a human highlight film.
Rodriguez finished 12th overall in the nation in tackles (128), led the Big XII in solo tackles in each of the last two seasons (77 and 63, respectively), was fifth in voting for the Heisman Trophy and won the Butkus Award, Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Bednarik Award, and Lombardi Award for his play on defense.
So why wouldn’t the Bucs want an All-American linebacker in the second round if the Bucs choose to draft another position at No. 15?
Matt Miller of BSPN notes Rodriguez is also good at what hurt the Bucs last season: pass coverage from the middle backers.
Prospect to fill a need outside Round 1: Jacob Rodriguez, LB, Texas Tech. The former quarterback turned linebacker ran a 4.57-second 40 at the combine after causing seven fumbles last season. He profiles as a better inside linebacker than the weakside playmaker [Lavonte] David was, but his college tape is full of big-time plays in coverage, against the run or getting after the QB.
A guy who can cover and get after the quarterback? What’s not to like?
Fellow BSPNer and former Jets and Dolphins shot-caller Mike Tannenbaum thinks Rodriguez slips to the third round where he would be a steal. Tannenbaum thinks Rodriguez is Zach Thomas II.
Rodriguez reminds me so much of Hall of Famer Zach Thomas. He has an incredible knack for forcing fumbles (seven last season, 13 over his career), and he picked off four passes in 2025. Typically when someone is that productive and instinctive, it carries over to the next level. I’d want him on my team, even though he’s slightly undersized at 6-foot-1 and 231 pounds. It’s sort of impossible to think he won’t make it as a starter in the NFL.
A guy who produces forced fumbles? How Lavonte David of him!
Joe would be a little bit surprised if Rodriguez is there at No. 46, which is where the Bucs draft in the second round. But if he is, Joe would be tempted to pull the trigger on Rodriguez.
But the third round? That would be shocking, but Tannenbaum could be privy to inside intel. If Rodriguez is there at No. 77 when the Bucs pick in the third round, Joe couldn’t run up to the podium quickly enough.
Jacob Rodriguez is absolutely in play for the Bills in the 1st round.
The senior LB totaled 128 tackles, 4 INTs, and 7 forced fumbles in 2025.#BillsMafia pic.twitter.com/4pVq35GZsM
— Bills Report (@BillsReport) March 23, 2026
March 29th, 2026 at 12:15 am
I don’t see how he makes it to the 3rd round an if he is there at 46 you Jump in him dude will be a star He can Do everything at LB I love him he is one of my Crushes in this draft
March 29th, 2026 at 12:18 am
When Jacob Rodriguez jumps in the ocean he doesn’t get wet. The ocean gets Jacob Rodriguez. Can we cool it with the glazing of this kid a little? The talk was about drafting good tacklers but he isn’t in the top 200 LBs when we measure by missed tackle rate.
Yes- those 7 FFs happened because of how he attacks ball carriers but also resulted in a lot of missed tackles. His “success rate” with his tackling style will be diminished in the NFL. He is fun to watch and has a future in the league but he is limited and the Bucs can get better value before and after he goes in this draft the way things are shaping up.
March 29th, 2026 at 12:18 am
He’s probably gone by 46, But I would jump on it or Hill jr too if there…those two pass my eye test. And if we cant get Ioane, im warming up to Cashius Howell at 15.
March 29th, 2026 at 12:21 am
I think he is a prime trade back candidate but surely not at 15.
Buffalo saying round 1 so he wont be a Buc.
March 29th, 2026 at 12:32 am
Failing to land Styles, Hill Jr, or Rodriguez would be a colossal failure by JL
March 29th, 2026 at 12:34 am
Mike Tannenbaum is certainly not privy to any inside information in this case. Texas Tech had their pro day the day before yesterday. I guess the Cowboys were there in full force, from the Jones to Schottenhiemer and a private jet and a lunch with Jacob Rodriguez. I hear that Dallas has a few picks in the first round and they are taking JRod(Juice) with the 20th overall pick. Unless someone gets him first. If I was only looking at film and stats JRod would be BPA by the 2nd pick of this draft. He won’t win the eyeball contest though. If he’s available with our first pick and we miss we don’t get him. Period. And I don’t know anybody could use him more than we could.
March 29th, 2026 at 12:34 am
Might as well trade down from 15 and land Hill Jr.
March 29th, 2026 at 12:39 am
Am starting to firmly believe trading down from 15 is the way to go for the Bucs in this draft.
Secure Hill Jr. It’s not like JL is going to trade up. So a trade is going to be necessary to land a top ILB unless we just reach in Rd 1
March 29th, 2026 at 12:40 am
Rodriguez would work tho, no way he is there in 3rd Rd, or even guaranteed in 2nd. 31 other teams see his accolades
March 29th, 2026 at 12:50 am
He had 5 sacks his junior year. Only one his senior year but didn’t blitz as much. Defense was so good they didn’t have to play games last year. JRod made a bunch of guys look good on that defense last year. But yes Joe. He can cover the pass. And get after the QB. Oh yeah. I think he was also the best linebacker in college football against the run. Styles, and Hill and Allen, according to the Press from coast to coast, took a backseat to Rodriguez. In every single metric. But I believe Rodriguez might finish 4th in the eyeball test. Bronze statues don’t win football games. Football players win football games. I’ve said for months that if our organization misses on this guy we ought to be lined up and Bull whipped. Still feel the same.
March 29th, 2026 at 12:58 am
If we take an off-ball LB in the first round, I will pull my hair out. If he isn’t there in the 2nd, no worries. There are several inside LB candidates this draft, to choose from.
March 29th, 2026 at 1:19 am
What happened to No risk it No biscuit
March 29th, 2026 at 1:34 am
He’ll be gone by the end of the 1st. If the Bucs really like him they should trade back to the bottom of the 1st. 15 is too high for him.
March 29th, 2026 at 1:40 am
Thinking the same thing Kgh, especially if Licht is able to trade back a bit to add another pick and then package that with our 2nd, etc to get back in. Two starters on 5 year deals on the 1st day would be a job well done.
March 29th, 2026 at 5:08 am
Trade down, get him near the end of the first round. You get an extra year on Rodriguez, and an extra pick. Win, win.
March 29th, 2026 at 5:16 am
Bowles always has his eyes on UGA players. He might actually like CJ Allen, and what’s not to like. He’d be there at the bottom of the first, even if Rodriguez is gone. Trading down should still be the play unless someone falls in the Bucs lap.
March 29th, 2026 at 6:25 am
Trading up or down always sounds like a win but it rarely is IMO; one team or the other usually gets shafted. I think the major issue is that the offer is usually made at the very last minute (when 1 team sees that a player they REALLY want is available now but won’t be when they pick), and there’s only seconds to make the deal. Easy to get screwed in a time-sensitive situation.
Lots of folks like to use the Points Valuation system to estimate the ‘value’ of trading up or down. For this year, found a great chart titled ‘2026 NFL Draft Trade Value Chart & Interactive Tool’ (dated 23 Mar 2026) that puts value against each pick. Our #15 pick for instance is valued at 1050 pts and Chicago’s #25 pick is valued at 720 pts, and their #60 Rnd-2 pick is valued at 330 pts. So for Chicago to trade with us & move up, they’d have to give us their #25 pick AND their #60 pick to arrive at the 1050 pt value of our #15 pick. You don’t see that happening very often, for good reason.
Normally teams seem to ‘package’ lower Rnd picks, to include picks from future years. And there-in lies a big part of the ‘gamble’. The Bucs this year NEED a number of starter-capable players, and most of those will come from the top Rnds. IF there’s someone there when our pick arrives who meets our needs, PULL THE TRIGGER based on our agreed priorities.
March 29th, 2026 at 6:31 am
I really like this guy as a pick if Bucs can get him.
March 29th, 2026 at 7:06 am
Even if Rodriguez makes it to the 2nd round, he’s not likely to make it to the Bucs pick. Cincinnati, NYJ, NYG, Dallas, and Washington all desperately need linebackers. Do you think there’s any chance he’s not on Dallas’s radar? The guy plays down the road.
March 29th, 2026 at 7:12 am
I just can’t see us drafting an edge rusher at pick 15 without reaching. I’m starting to like the idea of trading back and getting quality players at other positions such as: LB, CB, TE, DT, WR, and G. I just think we would have to be really lucky for one of the Edge rushers to fall to us, and I don’t like the idea of trading up to get one. It just feels like a draft where we fill other needs and pray for a proven FA edge next year. We are in a decent spot to trade back, but it takes two to tango.
March 29th, 2026 at 7:46 am
yeah trade to the back of the first…
grab an extra 2nd in the process…
grab jrod…
if not getting sadiq in the first at 15
yes, then you can stack the front 7 with 4 pieces thru the first 3 rounds if you so choose…2 backers and 2 front line guys
March 29th, 2026 at 7:50 am
Hopefully Licht has learned something about his draft failures using high RAS score as the only stat to draft defensive players. I doubt it. If he really wanted to build for the future, he’d trade up for Styles. But, he won’t. Given that, I agree he should move down and get an extra 2nd. He probably won’t and he’ll draft the reincarnation of OJ Howard, the one hit wonder Sadiq, to supposedly replace Evans. Instead of trying to replace Evans type and role ad draft a dig, fast player that actually plays x rec. I.e. Boston, Brazzell, etc. we can only hope Licht has finally learned something. Maybe we’ll end up with Hill or Rodriguez. I still like Golday more. I’m hoping to be pleasantly surprised. I’m skeptical it’ll be more of the same.
March 29th, 2026 at 7:52 am
Former quarterback turned linebacker, J-Rod has intense knowledge of the game which has helped him to the IT factor! Not a first round pick but for sure second or third round, he will be gone before the Bucs have a chance to draft him with the Cowboys top of the list to get him !
March 29th, 2026 at 8:12 am
An offensive lineman in the second round, sure. But let’s not have any more
of lousy second round defensive players trying to be a starter in the NFL.
If you’re going to get a quality defense lineman you’re going to have to
give up picks to move up.
March 29th, 2026 at 8:24 am
he will be gone in the 2nd- probably in the first 10 picks..
March 29th, 2026 at 8:35 am
Love how everyone Just casually says, move back and get more picks and then get blah blah blah…it takes a willing partner to do that and is not as easy as our draft experts think
March 29th, 2026 at 8:46 am
If the Bucs want Rodriguez they will need to take him at #15. Otherwise he will not be there when we pick in the second.
I have a feeling Dallas will take him before us in the 1st, so I don’t think it will matter much.
March 29th, 2026 at 8:56 am
He’s awesome. I would be all for him in the second if he gets there. And that’s a big if. He will not sniff the third round.
March 29th, 2026 at 8:58 am
Dude has a Tom Selleck-level moustache too
March 29th, 2026 at 9:27 am
Former quarterback? Here we go again coaches forcing minorities to switch away from QB. Just like that guy at the combine.
March 29th, 2026 at 10:18 am
He is a terrific football player. What is the point in waiting? Bucs need terrific players. Have a felling this guy will be 2026 vesrion of Carson Schwesinger.
March 29th, 2026 at 10:22 am
I like his tape better than CJ Allen’s
March 29th, 2026 at 10:58 am
His film reminds me of Barrett ruud. He doesn’t read and react downhill, more side to side. Hops around a lot. Has plus lateral movement side to side, but does not attack downhill unless he is on a designated blitz.
March 29th, 2026 at 11:13 am
Love me some J Rodriguez. I think some other teams do as well. So I think you either gave to trade back into the 20s and get him or trade up in the 2nd to secure him.
Hill, J Rodriguez, Golday, Louis…gotta land one of these guys if not 2.
March 29th, 2026 at 12:29 pm
Does not jump off the tape-pass.
March 29th, 2026 at 12:35 pm
Besides his success as a quarterback, J-Rod was also used at times as a safety! Being able to play either side of the ball, was why he was recruited more as an athlete than a quarterback!
March 29th, 2026 at 1:04 pm
Great College LB.
Less than Average Pro.
Sorry, he isn’t it.
March 29th, 2026 at 1:16 pm
I can’t think of a better replacement for Lavonte. If this guys splash plays transfer over to the NFL level we will be set for a long time.
March 29th, 2026 at 1:42 pm
I say it every year. Trade down & build the team with the extra picks & do it this year now. Since they very rarely want to go out & spend $$$$.
March 29th, 2026 at 2:04 pm
While looking up Rodriguez, I ran into a mock draft. Picking for the Bucs at 15, I turned down a trade with the 49ers and picked Styles. I think we’ll do OK if it goes like that.
March 29th, 2026 at 2:10 pm
If there is not a bonafide Day-1 +starter/projected future Pro-Bowler who slips to #15, then they SHOULD trade back for more depth with ‘multiple’ 2nd and 3rd’s. Though, I would MUCH prefer getting back a 2027 #1 and getting an additional 2nd (and swap a 6th for a 4th, or something) for this year’s draft. The Jets have THREE 2027-1’s, and would (hopefully, still) be dumb enough to partner up with. We need to get one of those picks, if possible. ALL 3 of them have BIG ‘potential’ to be Top-15 picks in next year’s “All-Time” LOADED 2027-Draft. We could always take that Jets EARLY-4th and trade back up into the mid to late 3rd-Round, for someone they’re targeting and really wanting there. I WANT ANOTHER 2027 NUMBER-ONE.
March 29th, 2026 at 2:20 pm
We don’t have a shot in hell THIS season. Literally, NO CHANCE. If we had TWO 2027 #1’s (high 1’s, too) in that LOADED Class, a clean salary cap with PLENTY of $$$$’s to spend for 2027-2028, AND with all of the ‘additional’ PICKS we pick up at this year’s trade-deadline, then we can LAND a TOP ‘top-tier’ level, Head Coach and GM. It would be one of, if not THE most ‘attractive’ job openings in the entire LEAGUE.
March 29th, 2026 at 2:30 pm
It’s remotely possible we get Styles because inside linebackers have diminished value for some teams and certain schemes. He would certainly fit in our defense though. Imagine if we got Styles AND Rodriguez! Holy cow.
March 29th, 2026 at 2:31 pm
With the ‘right’ HC and GM in place it would be a VERY QUICK rebuild, with all of those assets. Would have a very solid 2028 season as an up-and-comer and surprise team. Then, a LEGIT contender by 2029. With the right HC and GM. As long as they do everything ‘right’ right NOW, by doing what needs to be DONE. Has to be completely TORN TF DOWN, during this season’s trade-deadline. It’s OVER. We are going NOWHERE, with this current bunch and their good ole “buddy-buddy” system. They don’t know what the hell they’re doing. The owners must takeover. It’s just too bad though, cause they are no better. And, that is WHY they need the ‘right person’ WHO DOES KNOW, to takeover.
March 29th, 2026 at 3:08 pm
You’re delusional. Just stay off the bandwagon if we all of a sudden look like a contender next year. You can do what aquabum did and change your name so we don’t collect receipts on your dumb takes
March 29th, 2026 at 3:38 pm
Anytime I see people that write like Trump with the all-caps words all the time I automatically skip right by them. Everyone else should too.
We have a great offensive line, a great quarterback, great receivers top to bottom, and great running backs top to bottom. We have really good safeties, at least 1 excellent corner with potential for up to 3, 1 really good edge (up to 3), new linebackers are playable and Anzalone is still quite good, D Line starters are good (1 for sure really good in Vea)not great, and that’s about it. With this team if nobody gets injured we can win up to 12 games in the regular season. Add in the draft and our chances of reaching that number go up quite a bit. Injuries are *ALWAYS* the wild card. We are nowhere near as bad as people on here claim though when this team is at full strength. And we are definitely not getting rid of our GM anytime soon. He’s one of the top 3 drafters in the NFL!
March 29th, 2026 at 3:43 pm
Anthony Hill > Jacob Rodriguez all day
March 29th, 2026 at 4:04 pm
No, another Barrett Rudd… Strong Pass!!!
March 29th, 2026 at 4:07 pm
I’d love to have either one or both of them.
March 29th, 2026 at 4:18 pm
HeavyE Says:
March 29th, 2026 at 4:04 pm
No, another Barrett Rudd… Strong Pass!!!
———
Rudd was slow, that was in entire issue. He ran in the mid-4.7’s from what I remember. In the Tampa 2, he simply could not cover down the middle, which was required in that defense.
As for Rodriguez, I only know the scouting profiles and tape I’ve seen, but being slow doesn’t appear to be an issue, and a LB that runs in the 4.5’s is not slow – and would be considered fast if anything.
March 29th, 2026 at 4:21 pm
I’d be fine with Hill or Rodriguez – although, and I can’t tell you why, it’s just gut – something about Rodriguez makes me less sure about him even though his measurables and production are great.
But in the 3rd, if he’s still there, I’d 100% double dip and get Kyle Louis – that guy just profiles as a traditional Bucs LB – undersized and quick, great in pass coverage. In fact, if I’m making the calls, I’d take Louis above any of them. BUT, I could be off base for sure – I’ll watch more as we get closer to the draft, but Louis just strikes me as the guy from what I’ve seen, he just looks the part, moves the part, has the skills I want, etc.
March 29th, 2026 at 4:44 pm
I was just looking at Rodriguez on PFF and his season he just had was the highest rated PFF has ever rated for a linebacker since their inception. Yeah, we should draft that guy- even in the 1st if necessary (cannot trade down a bit…). I’d love to get him in the second but I think we pick too late for that. 15 really is an odd spot this year because it’s right around when the consensus top picks run out.
March 29th, 2026 at 5:20 pm
I haven’t heard anybody since February talk about him realistically lasting to pick 46. Even if he had bong mask pictures unearthed the morning of the draft he wouldn’t last to the 77th pick.
March 29th, 2026 at 5:26 pm
I am with Joe, a good value pick in the 2nd round.
Not an elite guy but just a guy that wants to play football.
March 29th, 2026 at 5:59 pm
He looks pretty elite to me being the pff highest graded player in all of college football last year.
March 29th, 2026 at 7:56 pm
J-Rod is the type of athlete that you want on your team so as not to have to play against him! If Tampa does draft him, best hope he stays out of the South.
March 29th, 2026 at 10:25 pm
Wont be there when we pick in rd 2.
March 29th, 2026 at 10:37 pm
I was just watching more on Kyle Louis – he should be the man. He’s moved up to my top pick at ILB. I want a guy who not only has speed, but is excellent in coverage – yet and also do everything else. Louis is that guy.
Will be interesting to see how teams value these guys – but with all the pass coverage issues and the Bucs history with undersized great coverage LBs, I don’t see how Louis shouldn’t be the pick.
March 30th, 2026 at 10:24 am
Yep will love to get him in the second round!!