Jacob Rodriguez: Top Linebacker Prospect

0:00It's March 27. Welcome to NFL News Today, powered by AI. I'm Corey with the story. The 2026 NFL draft is shaping up with one of the strongest linebacker classes in years. Standing out is Texas Tech's Jacob Rodriguez, a 6-foot-1, 231-pound athlete who's drawing buzz as a top playmaker. At just above the size threshold for off-ball linebackers, he shines with elite instincts, speed, and change of direction skills that let him cover. Tight ends, running backs, and even spy mobile quarterbacks. Rodriguez dominates and run defense, too, using sharp technique to shed blocks and knife through traffic for tackles. He's powered up over 100 tackles each of the last two seasons, plus six passes defense, four interceptions, seven force fumbles, and two. Recovery's last year alone. His quit processing means he's often in the right spot before the play even develops. That said, his shorter arms limit his tackle radius, leading to a 13.9%

1:00missed tackle rate per pro-flip-ball focus. He sometimes picks overly aggressive angles, forcing arm tackles that don't always stick, which could cap his role as an every-down middle linebacker. Teens might see him as a space player, best suited for flowing to the ball in modern schemes, more like a Luke Keckley type than a pure thumper. For the New York Giants, with solid starters like Tremaine Edmonds and Micah McFadden already in place, Rodriguez fits as a value add to boost there. Group, especially if he slips to the late first or early second round. Projections peg him there, depending on how scouts weigh his athleticism against those flaws, making him a potential steal for a defense-needing. Playmakers.