The Tampa Bay Buccaneers enter the 2026 NFL Draft with pressing needs across the defense.
One of the key priorities will be to solidify the future at inside linebacker after the retirement of Lavonte David.
The draft class is full of talented linebacker prospects who could be fits for the Buccaneers, but fans have zeroed in on one player in particular.
Buccaneers fans really want Jason Licht to draft Jacob Rodriguez
Rodriguez is far and away the most popular draft prospect among Bucs fans this offseason. They recognize that he is the perfect fit for Tampa Bay, checking every box the organization tends to look for both on and off the field.
He’s a two-time team captain with leadership experience and high character. He’s got elite instincts and football IQ combined with some of the most impressive production ever for a linebacker prospect.
According to PFSN, home of one of the most popular mock draft simulators, Bucs fans are coming in droves to select Rodriguez for Tampa Bay. He's been mocked more to the Buccaneers than any other team.
The most popular destinations for the top 2026 NFL Draft LB prospects, per PFSN's Mock Draft Simulator:
— PFSN (@PFSN365) April 21, 2026
🔮 Sonny Styles - Giants
🔮 CJ Allen - Cowboys
🔮 Jacob Rodriguez - Buccaneers
🔮 Anthony Hill Jr. - Colts
🔮 Josiah Trotter - Broncos
🔮 Jake Golday - Colts
🔮 Deontae… pic.twitter.com/TGMcT7VpZp
We at The Pewter Plank ran a poll of our own to gauge interest on the players most commonly linked to the Buccaneers during the pre-draft process.
The 2026 NFL Draft kicks off a week from tonight!
— The Pewter Plank (@ThePewterPlank) April 17, 2026
Bucs fans, which player linked to Tampa Bay do you most want them to draft?
Akheem Mesidor, Kenyon Sadiq, and CJ Allen were all listed as options, but the vast majority of fans chose none of the above, with 40% choosing the “other” option that happened to be decorated with an image of Rodriguez.
It feels like Buccaneers faithful could be in for a mass heartbreak during draft weekend. Tampa Bay isn’t likely to use their first round pick on Rodriguez, and he’s picking up momentum as a potential late first-round selection.
If Tampa Bay doesn’t pull the trigger at No. 15, Bucs fans should brace for impact as he’ll almost certainly not fall to the team’s next pick at No. 46.
Unless the Buccaneers get aggressive and trade up in the second round, the same way they traded up for Lavonte David in 2012, Rodriguez will be off the board long before Jason Licht gets the chance to draft him.
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