Jacob Rodriguez NFL Draft Profile: Scouting Report, Stats, Highlights

A look at the Jacob Rodriguez NFL Draft profile, including a scouting report, his college highlights and stats, and a draft projection.

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It pretty much goes without saying that a player who wins both the Nagurski Trophy and the Bednarik Award will be highly sought-after in the NFL Draft. Linebacker Jacob Rodriguez collected both honors in his final season of college football and now waits to find out which team’s jersey he will don at the professional level. Rodriguez had very similar production in his final two seasons at Texas Tech and was a rhetorical anchor for one of the best defensive front sevens in the country this past year.

Let’s take a look at our Jacob Rodriguez NFL Draft profile, including his stats, scouting report, college highlights, and more!

Jacob Rodriguez NFL Draft Profile 2026

Jacob Rodriguez
Position: LB
Height: 6’1″
Weight: 231 lbs
Age: 23
College: Texas Tech Red Raiders

Jacob Rodriguez College Stats 2025

After spending his first year of college football at Virginia, Jacob Rodriguez transferred to Texas Tech ahead of the 2022 season. The 2024 and ’25 campaigns were where he really made a name for himself. Rodriguez compiled north of 120 total tackles and double-digit tackles for loss in both seasons. He punctuated his college career by winning a whole slew of awards for his performance this past season. In addition, he finished fifth in the Heisman Trophy voting.

Here are Rodriguez’s college stats from this past season:

Games: 14
Tackles: 128
Tackles for Loss: 11.0
Sacks: 1.0
Forced Fumbles: 7
Interceptions: 4

Jacob Rodriguez Highlights

When is the 2026 NFL Draft?

The 2026 NFL Draft kicks off on Thursday, April 23, beginning at 8 p.m. ET. This year’s draft will take place in Pittsburgh, PA. Only Round 1 will take place on Thursday. Rounds 2-3 will take place on April 24th, with the remaining four rounds wrapping up on Sunday, April 25th. There will be 257 players selected across the seven rounds, with many more getting phone calls immediately afterward.

Jacob Rodriguez Scouting Report

Strengths

Rodriguez’s production at Texas Tech immediately stands out, particularly over his final two seasons. His ability to consistently fill the stat sheet is driven by his urgency and high motor, as he rarely stays stagnant once the ball is snapped. He moves well laterally and is a difficult target for opposing linemen to square up, while also showing the ability to shed would-be blockers and continue his pursuit.

In coverage, Rodriguez displays strong vision and instincts that at times resemble those of a defensive back. He has a natural feel for the football and a knack for creating turnovers, highlighted by his seven forced fumbles and four interceptions this past season. He also brings leadership qualities, setting the tone for the defense with his energy and effort.

Weaknesses

Jacob Rodriguez’s size is likely to be a concern as he transitions to the NFL. He may struggle to consistently take on and disengage from larger offensive linemen, forcing him to rely heavily on his speed and positioning. Adding strength will be important in order to become a more reliable tackler at the next level.

While his aggressive play style is a strength, it can also lead to inconsistencies. He can be prone to false steps and overreactions, particularly against play-action, which may be exploited more frequently in the NFL. Continued development in coverage discipline will be key, as lapses in assignment led to occasional breakdowns in college.

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For more 2026 NFL Draft profiles, check out our NFL Draft page!

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Jacob Rodriguez NFL Draft Projection | Expert 2026 NFL Mock Draft Projections

With an impressive college resume both statistically and in terms of award recognition, Rodriguez is expected to be a popular target for NFL teams in the early-to-mid second round. The vast majority of mock drafts have him being taken within the first 50 picks overall. Here are the Jacob Rodriguez NFL Draft projections from NFL Network, ESPN, CBS, Tankathon and Walter Football.

SOURCE	TEAM	RD	PK
NFL Network	Colts	2	47
ESPN	Vikings	2	49
CBS	Buccaneers	2	46
Tankathon	Jets (via DAL)	2	44
Walter Football	Bengals	2	41

2026 NFL Draft Order | First Round

Here is the full 2026 NFL Draft order for the first round.

1. Las Vegas Raiders
2. New York Jets
3. Arizona Cardinals
4. Tennessee Titans
5. New York Giants
6. Cleveland Browns
7. Washington Commanders
8. New Orleans Saints
9. Kansas City Chiefs
10. Cincinnati Bengals
11. Miami Dolphins
12. Dallas Cowboys
13. Los Angeles Rams (via ATL)
14. Baltimore Ravens
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
16. New York Jets (via IND)
17. Detroit Lions
18. Minnesota Vikings
19. Carolina Panthers
20. Dallas Cowboys (via GB)
21. Pittsburgh Steelers
22. Los Angeles Chargers
23. Philadelphia Eagles
24. Cleveland Browns (via JAX)
25. Chicago Bears
26. Buffalo Bills
27. San Francisco 49ers
28. Houston Texans
29. Kansas City Chiefs (via LAR)
30. Miami Dolphins (via DEN)
31. New England Patriots
32. Seattle Seahawks