2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Jacob Rodriguez (LB – Texas Tech)

FantasyPros will be taking a look at early NFL Draft scouting reports before the Combine in February. Here’s a look at Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez.

2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Jacob Rodriguez

Jacob Rodriguez (LB – Texas Tech)

6’1″ – 235 lbs.

Background

Three-star recruit who originally attended Virginia as a quarterback/athlete, but switched to linebacker after transferring to Texas Tech the following year. In 2022, recorded 29-3.0-0.0 for the Red Raiders, then 32 tackles (one for loss) over five appearances before getting hurt in 2023. Put together a monster 2024 line of 127-10.5-5.0 with an interception and three forced fumbles. Won Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Butkus Award, Lombardi Award, and Bednarik Award this past year with 117-10.0-1.0, four interceptions, and seven forced fumbles.

Positives

Highly productive two-year starter whose play brought him all the hardware you could ask for. Relatively thickly-built, rocked-up inside ‘backer. Plays the run with patience and diagnoses well, allowing him to consistently end up around the football. Good pursuit angles and high effort allow him to get out toward the sidelines. Shows good toughness and physicality to take on/play off of blocks in the run game, with solid knee bend, square shoulders, and good contact balance there. Able to locate the football well while taking on blocks. Has forced fourteen career fumbles, and shows good instincts/technique to punch out balls. Does a nice job of getting depth in zones to keep things in front of him, and looks calm working in coverage and processing route combinations. Plants and drives well on spots from zone. Makes a lot of plays on the ball in coverage, with twelve career breakups to go with his six interceptions. Above-average speed allows him to do some work in man coverage against opposing running backs. Does a nice job of timing his blitzes and enjoyed success there in 2024.

Negatives

Doesn’t have ideal height/length for the position. A bit on the stiff side in terms of his overall movement skills. At times, can come in a bit fast and struggle to make the tackle when playing in space; needs to sell out to reach the spot, making it difficult to adjust. Lack of length leads to some missed tackles (just over fifteen percent over his career, per PFF.) Probably not the type of profile you’d want to put on receivers or tight ends in man coverage.

Summary

One of the most polished linebacker prospects in the class despite only converting to the position in 2022, he combines impressive recognition skills, technique, and contact balance with a high motor, traits which allowed him to make plays all over the field in school. There are some physical/athletic limitations here, as he is a bit of a shorter and stiffer prospect, and those limitations are somewhat noticeable in his game. However, still looks like he should be able to come in and contribute, with every-down potential on the middle/inside.

Projection: Round 2-3