Lb Jacob Rodriguez Would Be An Excellent Addition To The Broncos Defense

One prospect the Denver Broncos may have interest in is former Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez. He is a 6-1, 231-pound linebacker prospect who is one of the more talented and productive linebackers in the entire 2026 NFL Draft. The Athletic’s lead draft analyst, Dane Brugler, has Rodriguez ranked as his 64th overall player in the draft and 6th best linebacker in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Rodriguez started his college career at Virginia before transferring to Texas Tech, where he played for the next four seasons. He is coming off back-to-back highly productive years and is now considered one of the top linebackers in the 2026 NFL Draft. During his four seasons at Texas Tech, Rodriguez played in 44 games and totaled 316 tackles, 25.5 tackles for a loss, 6 sacks, 6 interceptions, 12 pass deflections, and an impressive 13 forced fumbles. This past year, he appeared in 14 games and totaled 128 tackles, 11 tackles for a loss, 1 sack, 4 interceptions, 6 pass deflections, and a whopping 7 forced fumbles.

His 2025 performances earned him the Chuck Bednarik, Dick Butkus, Bronko Nagurski, and Lombardi awards as well as an invite to the Senior Bowl.

The Broncos re-signed veteran linebackers Alex Singleton and Justin Strnad, but still have a long-term need at linebacker. Both players will be 30+ years old at the start of the season, and adding a player like Rodriguez would make a ton of sense. He can be a third-down/sub-package specialist right away and make impact plays on the ball. If he somehow falls to the Broncos ‘ second-round selection, he would be an excellent selection for them.

Player Profile

Jacob Rodriguez | Linebacker | Texas Tech

• Height: 6-1
• Weight: 231 pounds
• Arm Length: 30 7/8 inches
• Hand Size: 9 1/4 inches
• 40-time: 4.57 seconds
• 10-Yard Split: 1.6 seconds
• Vertical Jump: 38.5 inches
• Broad Jump: 10-1
• 3-Cone Drill: 6.9 seconds
• 20-Yard Shuttle: 4.19 seconds

Film Room

Scouting Report

Strengths

• Highly productive player who made several impact plays throughout his career
• Elite ball skills and a nose for the football: 13 career forced fumbles, 6 interceptions, and 25.5 tackles for a loss
• An elite run defender who reads and reacts quickly and explodes downfield
• Rangy player with sideline-to-sideline range and speed
• Works through traffic well and is able to shed blocks
• High IQ player with great instincts and play recognition
• Plus coverage ability with ball-hawking tendencies
• Constantly moving around the field, which makes it hard for linemen to block him
• Combine performance matched what you see on the field
• Two-year team captain

Weaknesses

• He’s an undersized linebacker who can get washed out of a play if the OL reaches the second level
• Overaggressiveness leads to missed tackles and coverage busts on occasion
• Bit on some misdirection and play action plays
• Just a little too overaggressive at times
• Lacks ideal length and size, and could struggle against bigger backs and tight ends

What other analysts are saying about Texas Tech LB Jacob Rodriguez

The Athletic’s lead draft analyst, Dane Brugler, on LB Jacob Rodriguez

The “quarterback of the defense,” according to the Texas Tech coaches, Rodriguez is quick off his spot with the backfield vision to sort and drive on the football. With 19 career forced turnovers, he has the ball production that will separate him on draft boards.

NFL.com draft analyst Lance Zierlein on LB Jacob Rodriguez

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.

Jacob Rodriguez’s RAS

Should the Broncos draft Texas Tech LB Jacob Rodriguez in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft?

If he’s available, I think this would be an excellent selection.

Rodriguez is a plug-and-play linebacker who is a future team captain and green dot wearer for a defense. He would give the Broncos a rangy linebacker who is dominant vs. the run, has plus coverage ability, and is capable of making impact plays on the ball. This is the type of player the Broncos are missing on the defensive side of the ball, and I believe he would be an excellent addition to the Broncos’ linebacker room.

Both Alex Singleton and Justin Strnad will be 30+ years old at the start of the season, and neither is a long-term answer at the position. Rodriguez would give them a long-term answer at the position and someone they can insert in on passing downs/sub-packages.

Unfortunately, I have a hard time seeing Rodriguez being available for the Broncos in the late second round. A linebacker with his production, athleticism, and ability usually does not last long, and honestly, I thought he was in play for them at 30th overall. It’s a strong linebacker class, and it’s possible he could fall, but I would be surprised and thrilled if he does.