Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez is pitching himself as a do-it-all defender after posting 314 tackles and 13 forced fumbles.
Jacob Rodriguez isn’t walking into the 2026 NFL Draft quietly. The former Texas Tech linebacker is making it clear at the NFL Scouting Combine that he believes he belongs in any defensive system - and at any linebacker spot.
After a dominant career in Lubbock, Rodriguez arrived in Indianapolis with production that jumps off the stat sheet: 314 total tackles (180 solo), 13 forced fumbles, 12 pass deflections, six sacks and six interceptions.
He even scored four defensive touchdowns and added two rushing touchdowns for good measure. That resume alone has scouts circling.
Rodriguez confirmed he has already met with several teams, including the Chicago Bears and Denver Broncos, and when asked about scheme fits - particularly with teams like the Buffalo Bills adjusting their linebacker usage - he didn’t hesitate.
“I can play any position that they need me to play,” Rodriguez said. “I can play out in space, I can play the mic, I can be the green dot, and I can be the bull. I think I can play any position that they bring up to me, and I think I'm very much capable of doing anything.”
At Texas Tech, Rodriguez lined up across the formation and even saw snaps on offense during his career. His ability to cover, blitz and diagnose plays made him one of the Big 12’s most disruptive defenders during the Red Raiders’ College Football Playoff run.
When asked about Buffalo’s evolving defensive structure and how it might affect his projection, Rodriguez acknowledged the intrigue.
Of course, he conceded that it would be nice to see how Buffalo, Milano, and Bernard transition over the next season, but if he's a part of that, what better view of the adjustments than from inside the house?
Draft analysts, including ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr., rank Rodriguez among the top linebackers available, though projections place him in the second or third round.
Wherever he lands, Jacob Rodriguez is betting on versatility ... and 314 tackles worth of proof.