Should the Bucs draft Texas Tech LB Jacob Rodriguez in Round 1?

As the 2026 NFL Draft approaches, one name continues to gain momentum, and it’s one that could directly align with one of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ biggest needs. Linebacker Jacob Rodriguez has seen his draft stock surge following a dominant 2025 season and an impressive showing throughout the pre-draft process.

The question now becomes simple: should the Buccaneers consider him at No. 15 overall?

It’s not as far-fetched as it may have seemed a few months ago. Rodriguez put together a standout 2025 campaign, racking up over 120 total tackles, including double-digit tackles for loss, while adding a sack and 4 interceptions to a stellar season. Production didn’t just show up on the stat sheet, it showed up on tape. He consistently played downhill, diagnosed plays quickly, and showed the kind of sideline-to-sideline range that modern NFL defenses covet.

That performance earned him All-Conference honors and firmly placed him on the national radar. Then came the combine. Rodriguez backed up his film with a strong athletic showing, posting an impressive 40-yard dash at 4.57, and a 38.5-inch vertical jump, while also turning heads in agility drills. His testing numbers reinforced what scouts saw on tape: a linebacker with both instincts and the athleticism to stay on the field for all three downs.

The Buccaneers have a clear need at linebacker, both in the short term and long term. Lavonte David has walked away after a decade of leading and patrolling the middle of the field, leaving a huge hole in the defense and in coverage. Rodriguez has the same high IQ, quick reaction time, and sure-handed tackling. He would immediately be in play for LB2 alongside newly signed Alex Anzalone and could be a cornerstone on defense for the next decade.

Is Rodriguez worth the No. 15 pick, or would that be considered a reach?

If the Buccaneers truly believe he’s “their guy,” the answer becomes easier. Reaching slightly for a player who fits your system, fills a major need, and has the tools to develop into a leader of the defense is often a risk worth taking. We’ve seen Tampa Bay prioritize leadership, toughness, and instincts before, and have moved up before to get their guy, most recently in the 2020 draft, getting by jumping ahead of . Rodriguez checks all three boxes. With his stock rising, and if Tampa Bay is convinced, they may not wait around and risk missing out.