There’s Nothing Wrong With Picking A Ballhawk
April 19th, 2026
All-American Texas Tech LB Jacob Rodriguez.
Some 15 years ago, Joe became enamoured with a largely unknown linebacker who played for a team that was desperately grasping to return to powerhouse status, the blue chip program it had been for decades.
It’s really sad to see how far Nebraska has slipped in football prominence. For decades, there were a few handful of sure things in life: death, taxes, the sun rises in the east, sets in the west and Nebraska would win at least 10 games a year.
That began to unravel when Tom Osborne retired as Nebraska’s coach. Now, a good season for the Cornhuskers is when they can get one win over a team with a winning record. One!
For a couple of years under maniac Bo Pelini, Nebraska appeared to regain its swagger. It helped to have a monster on the defensive line like Ndamukong Suh — and some unheard of linebacker out of Miami named Lavonte David.
The thing that jumped out to Joe about David watching Nebraska games was he was always near the ball. It was an odd defensive play for Nebraska when you didn’t see No. 4 (David’s number at Nebraska) near the ball or, of course, tackling the ballcarrier.
Joe learned watching David that if a defender almost always shows up near the ball (or recording a tackle), it’s a safe bet this guy can ball in the NFL.
That’s the same mentality Joe’s good friend, NFL humorist/columnist Mike Tanier uses when describing Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez.
In his breakdown on inside linebackers, Tanier has Rodriguez as his No. 2 off-ball linebacker.
Rodriguez led the Big XII in solo tackles in 2024 and 2025. He forced seven fumbles last year. He finished fifth in the Heisman voting and won several of the major defensive trophies.
Rodriguez is not huge, nor is he an athletic marvel. He can get rocked by blockers, and he will miss a few tackles. But, by golly, Rodriguez ends up in the frame at the end of every single play from scrimmage!
[He] diagnoses plays as if he were in the offensive huddle. He sifts and disengages from blocks well. He takes great angles when working his way across the field. Rodriguez can be playing zone coverage on the boundary side and end up tackling the receiver on a screen pass to the field side for a minimal gain. When he’s the second defender on the scene, he’s looking to rip the football away. If there’s a loose football on the ground, he teleports into frame to scoop it up.
When evaluating off-ball linebackers, it’s best not to overthink things. A defender who always finds his way to the football at a major college program is likely to also find his way to the football in the NFL. Rodriguez has the potential to be a Zaire Franklin-type.
That’s exactly it. No need to overthink this. If a player is always near the ball, often making tackles, often forcing turnovers, often securing loose balls, it’s a safe bet he can play.
Why so many have Rodriguez falling to the second round is mystifying to Joe. Guessing it has to do with measurables.
Measurables cannot measure the heart.
But you know what, why can’t the Bucs take advantage of other teams’ mistakes and jump on Rodriguez if the Bucs trade down Thursday night, maybe even early in the second round?
Jacob Rodriguez might be the BEST linebacker in this entire draft class 👀🔥
Cowboys Nation… if there is ANY way to go get him, you make that move IMMEDIATELY‼️
This dude brings instincts, toughness, and straight-up playmaking ability to the field. He’s everywhere. Sideline to… pic.twitter.com/AszVibnTHw
— Law Nation Sports (@LawsNation) March 19, 2026
April 19th, 2026 at 11:10 am
The Bucs will be in a difficult position if they can’t trade down
They won’t draft a ILB with the 15th pick
And the top ILB JRod, CJ Allen, Anthony Hill Jr
And they won’t trade up for Styles
But if they really like JRod, just draft him at 15
And secure the player instead of second guessing
April 19th, 2026 at 11:16 am
Yup – just take him at 15. Safe pick and a game changer!
April 19th, 2026 at 11:18 am
Rodriguez, Allen, Hill will be gone when the Bucs draft in the 2nd round
Hill might be there, so they should just get their guy at 15
I think JRod has more value than Mesidor, Sadiq, McDonald at 15
I believe you can get a solid DT, OLB with the 2nd pick
But not a solid ILB, l know Bowles said there’s 10-12 good ones in this draft
But l don’t see 5-6 good ILB in this draft, maybe 5
Rodriguez
Allen
Styles
Hill
Louis
April 19th, 2026 at 11:20 am
But Kyle Louis can also be a SS
April 19th, 2026 at 11:25 am
I like CJ Allen, but l don’t he’s a better fit in Bowles defense
He more of a traditional 4-3: Mike LB
He’s comparable to Bobby Wagner
I believe JRod is the perfect fit in Bowles 3-4 schematic defense
April 19th, 2026 at 11:37 am
If this guy is still available at 15 providing Sadiq not gone, have to take him. He is 2026 version of Carson Schwesinger. Schwesinger didn’t enjoy the expert blessing in 2025. He was second round pick who ended up as DROY. Rodriguez likely to follow suit.
April 19th, 2026 at 11:46 am
I already miss Lavonte David.
April 19th, 2026 at 11:46 am
I really want this kid.
15 seems too rich. It maybe isn’t for the impact he could have.
Ideal world, Bucs trade back a couple spots, get Mesidor or McDonald and then use the extra ammo to move up in the 2nd and snag J.Rod.
April 19th, 2026 at 11:58 am
^^^^I like that world
April 19th, 2026 at 11:59 am
I don’t think J-Rod makes it past the Cowboys second pick in the 1st round.
April 19th, 2026 at 12:15 pm
These so-call draft experts were all over Detroit GM Brad Holmes
For drafting Jahmyr Gibbs at 12, and Jack Campbell at 18
They was giving Detroit a C grade, but a D for first round
The reason for the C, because of Sam LaPorta, Brian Branch in the 2nd round
That draft turned the Lions franchise around overnight
Now they are talking the Lions had one of the best draft ever
If you like a player, then draft the player
Why draft another player, you like less?
Because the so call experts give him a lower grade?
April 19th, 2026 at 12:26 pm
trenches at pick 15 mcdaniel or ioane.
April 19th, 2026 at 12:27 pm
Lakeland. What makes you think JRod couldn’t play strong safety? He’s as natural a hybrid as I’ve seen.
April 19th, 2026 at 12:33 pm
He could play SS
He can play different positions in Bowles schemes
April 19th, 2026 at 12:37 pm
I thought Joe was talking about Barrett Ruud.