Jacob Rodriguez: Cowboys' Dream Linebacker?

0:00On March 31, Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez is heating up his NFL draft talk, rams up for April. The dude clocked a 4.57 in the 40 at the combine, then crushed 23 bench press reps at his pro day. Scouts now see him as first-round material, jumping from earlier second-round projections. Earlier this week, he grabbed dinner in Lubbock with Cowboys head coach Brian Schadenheimer and staff. Rodriguez called it a dream moment, straight out of his kid days, and he's pumped for more chats with teams. Folks are buzzing with a big comparison from ESPN analyst Mike Tannenbaum, ex-Jets GM. He says, Rodriguez echoes Hall of Famers, Zach Thomas, that five foot 11 Texas Tech legend who balled out with Miami and even did a Dallas stint. Love his turnover skills, like seven forced fumbles last year. Cowboys hold picks at 12 and 20 and their new defense coordinator, Christian Parker, needs a middle linebacker. They might grab a vet soon, but Rodriguez pairs perfect with young Demarbian overshown, even at six foot one and two 31 pounds.

1:06All this Cowboys love has Rodriguez's stock soaring, setting up a real shot to land where his childhood dreams point right in the star.