ESPN lists popular mocked linebacker to Colts as ‘best team fit’ ahead of ‘Day 2’

Rodriguez has ridden a breakout 2025 season into a strong predraft process. He dominated at the Senior Bowl and tested great at the combine, which matters to general manager Chris Ballard. Finding a shotcaller at linebacker is just as critical as finding high-level traits, and Rodriguez is a two-time captain at Texas Tech who ran the defense the way you’d expect an ex-quarterback to do so. He’s a film grinder and turnover machine (seven forced fumbles and four picks last season), bringing playmaking to a position where Colts players have struggled in coverage.

Rodriguez was rumored to be climbing into Round 1 as we approached the draft, so he might go in the first handful of picks Friday. If the Colts really love him, they might need to move up to get him.

Rodriguez came in at 6,’1”, 231 pounds (with 30 7/8” arms), and the senior linebacker for Texas Tech recorded 128 tackles (63 solo), 11 tackles for loss, a sack, 4 interceptions, 6 passes defensed, 2 fumble recovers, and 7 forced fumbles during 14 starts in 2025—earning unanimous All-American, Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year, and All-Big 12 honors (*for a consecutive year) among other annual honors.

He recorded a RAS of 9.23 out of a maximum of 10.0.

Here’s his NFL.com draft profile overview:

Overview

Rodriguez arrived in college as an offensive “athlete” and leaves Texas Tech as a bigger-than-life, stat-stuffing linebacker. He’s uniquely productive, with elite tackle, interception and forced fumble production. He’ll occasionally bounce out of a run fit when chasing action, but he has the burst to race back inside and finish. He’s slippery working off blocks and navigating combo climbers. His lateral pursuit leaves the station on time and with a fast take-off. Rodriguez displays ballhawking instincts and outstanding hands but busted coverages were part of the package in 2025. His unbridled urgency and “make every play” mindset can inflate missed tackle totals, but the production should outweigh the occasional headaches. He projects as a long-term starting inside linebacker.

Having traded former All-Pro captain Zaire Franklin to the Green Bay Packers earlier this offseason, and with fellow veteran Germaine Pratt remaining a free agent, the Colts have a glaring hole at starting linebacker alongside recently signed veteran free agent linebacker Akeem Davis-Gaither—who currently projects as the other starter. The other options such as Jaylon Carlies and Austin Ajiake remain unproven with question marks.

Rodriguez is regarded as an instinctive sideline-to-sideline, playmaking linebacker who the Colts can immediately plug-and-play into the second level of their revamped defense under veteran defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo. Rodriguez provides a much needed infusion of youth, speed, and athleticism to their once aged front seven and projects to be an immediate impact starter from Day 1 , even as a rookie.