As the Tampa Bay Buccaneers look to replace Lavonte David and upgrade their weakest position group from a season ago, the fanbase has naturally taken an interest in potential draft picks at the linebacker position.
Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez has emerged as a fan favorite, as Bucs fans are practically begging for the team to bring him to Tampa Bay.
But based on recent reports from multiple reputable sources, the Rodriguez pipe dream might be over before it even started.
Buccaneers might pass on Jacob Rodriguez during 2026 NFL Draft based on latest reports
On the Pewter Report Podcast, longtime Bucs insider Scott Reynolds expressed doubt about the team taking Jacob Rodriguez at No. 15 overall based on his sources.
“I don’t think the Buccaneers will. I’ve talked to enough people over there, I’ve pleaded my case. I don’t think that they necessarily view him as a first-round pick,” said Reynolds.
Nobody is more plugged into the Buccaneers than Pewter Report, so the claim that Tampa Bay doesn’t view Rodriguez as a first-round talent is worth paying attention to.
Another NFL insider, Tony Pauline of EssentiallySports, followed up and cast even more doubt on Rodriguez coming to the Buccaneers.
He named the Bucs and Cowboys as teams to watch for in pursuit of Georgia linebacker CJ Allen in the first round.
“Others tell me that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Dallas Cowboys are real possibilities, though they mention those teams would likely trade down from their present slots (Tampa owns the 15th selection, Dallas the 20th pick), then draft Allen,” wrote Pauline.
Reading the tea leaves, between Pauline’s claims the Buccaneers are interested in drafting CJ Allen in the first round and Reynolds’ report that the Bucs don’t view Rodriguez as a first-round talent, it’s fair to assume Allen is much higher on Jason Licht’s draft board than Rodriguez.
Rodriguez won’t be available when the Bucs are on the clock in the second round at No. 46 overall. So if they aren’t high enough on him to take a swing in the first round, they almost certainly won’t get a chance to draft him at all.
It’s a disappointing development, as Rodriguez seems to offer everything the Bucs are looking for both on and off the field. He brings elite production, football IQ, leadership, and character. He was built in a lab as the ideal successor to Lavonte David, but the front office is seemingly content with passing on him anyway.
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