'Best case scenario' unfolds for Jaguars in final 2-round mock draft

A final 2026 NFL mock draft from Sports Illustrated's Justin Melo has the Jacksonville Jaguars adding to the linebacker position.

After Melo completed his final first-round mock, he put together a separate Round 2 mock draft as well, giving us the opportunity to see who he believes the Jaguars could select.

With that 56th pick, the Jaguars picked Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez. Melo called this selection the "best case scenario" for the Jaguars, who do not have a first-round pick.

"Devin Lloyd left in free agency and GM James Gladstone plans to address his departure in the NFL Draft," wrote Melo. "Jacob Rodriguez would be plug and play. Rodriguez is a safe linebacker prospect with an unfathomable amount of production (2025: 128 tackles, 11 TFLs, seven FFs, four INTs) under his belt."

Rodriguez was one of PFF's highest-graded run defenders at the linebacker position. He also had good ball production in coverage, generating four interceptions and three pass breakups. Rodriguez forced seven fumbles as well.

Rodriguez also tested very well, which includes posting a 4.57-second 40-time and a Relative Athletic Score of 9.60 out of 10.

On the consensus big board, Rodriguez is the 42nd-ranked prospect overall and the fourth-rated linebacker.

The starting spot next to Foye Oluokun is up for grabs with Devin Lloyd in Carolina. The Jaguars do seem bullish about being able to seize that playing time. However, that's not a given either, so adding competition for those snaps could be on James Gladstone's radar.