NFL teams looking for off-ball linebacker like the Buffalo Bills, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New England Patriots should have their eyes on former Texas Tech star Jacob Rodriguez.<\/p>\n
While David Bailey is garnering all the attention as a top 10 prospect in the 2026 NFL Draft,<\/a> Rodriguez is a player who could see his name called on Day 1 as well<\/a>.\u00a0 <\/p>\n Following a highly productive final season at Texas Tech, the 6-foot-1, 217-pound linebacker has impressed scouts all season along<\/a>.\u00a0 That great impression has bled into the pre-draft process after Rodriguez had a solid NFL Combine.\u00a0 In positing a 40-Yard Dash time of 4.57 seconds, Rodriguez showcased his speed, but it is his mental processing as a middle linebacker that stands out when it comes to the on-the-field production of Rodriguez.<\/p>\n As a player with great burst in his pursuit of the ball carrier as well as his high impact as far as forcing turnovers, Rodriguez is a player who will have an immediate impact on any roster he is drafted on to.<\/p>\n Jacob Rodriguez is a \u201ctackle for loss machine\u201d<\/p>\n Rodriguez is climbing up many NFL draft big boards including Daniel Jeremiah\u2019s latest NFL Draft prospect rankings 4.0.\u00a0 Landing at No. 41, the NFL.com draft analyst highlights Rodriguez\u2019s run stopping ability along with the great field awareness he brings to the game<\/a><\/p>\n Jeremiah writes:<\/p>\n \u201cRodriguez is an off-ball linebacker with outstanding instincts, playmaking ability and intangibles. He\u2019s a dominant player against the run, sorting through the muddy box to locate ball-carriers and bring them to the ground. He finds a lane and attacks with inside-out leverage. He\u2019s a tackle for loss machine. His lateral range is excellent, too. In pass coverage, he\u2019s best utilized as a zone dropper. He relies on his awareness\/feel for the game to position himself for interceptions and pass breakups. In man coverage, he does have some issues when he\u2019s asked to stop\/start and mirror.\u201d<\/p>\n If Rodriguez can improve on his man coverage as Jeremiah notes as one of his weaknesses, Rodriguez will be a Pro Bowl caliber player in the NFL level.\u00a0 Along with his leadership ability and knack for creating turnovers, the former Texas Tech star already projects as a long-term starter at the NFL level.<\/p>\n 3 best landing spots for Jacob Rodriguez<\/p>\n Even before Lavonte David retired from the NFL, inside linebacker was one of the top draft needs for the Buccaneers.\u00a0 They signed Alex Anzalone to a two-year deal in free agency<\/a>, but they are on the market for a long-term linebacker to succeed David.\u00a0 With his well-known leadership ability, Rodriguez is a talent who could fit the bill for the Buccaneers, especially if he is still on the board when the Buccaneers select on Day 2.\u00a0 With Anzalone on the roster, the Buccaneers can use their top pick at edge and target Rodriguez with their second-round pick if another team doesn\u2019t gobble him up prior to the end of the first round.<\/p>\n