The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have a glaring weakness at inside linebacker heading into the 2026 NFL Draft.
It’s considered a strong draft class for the position, which is good news for the Bucs as they look to find Lavonte David’s successor, but one player stands alone among all the rest.
Jacob Rodriguez is the Buccaneers’ dream 2026 NFL Draft pick
Last offseason, when asked what qualities he’s looking for in potential Bucs draft picks, head coach Todd Bowles made it clear he wanted playmakers.
“Right now for me, I want ballhawks,” Todd Bowles said. “Whether that’s a down guy, a defensive lineman, whether he bats balls down or gets strip sacks. Whether that’s an outside linebacker, whether that’s a backer that can punch the ball out and get turnovers. Whether that’s a safety that can hit and jar the ball loose and get turnovers.”
Assuming that sentiment from last offseason hasn’t changed, nobody fits the mold for what Bowles is looking for than Jacob Rodriguez.
Bowles mentioned specifically a backer that can punch the ball out and get turnovers. Well, Rodriguez recorded a whopping 13 forced fumbles during his college career.
He also registered over 300 total tackles, six forced fumbles, and six interceptions during his college career. The forced turnovers are no fluke, it’s something Rodriguez has worked hard to perfect.
"You have to do it every play," Rodriguez told Cowboys reporter Joseph Hoyt about forcing fumbles. "I always say the hard part is getting to the football; the reward for getting to the football is taking a chance at taking it away. That's kind of how you should play the game of football. I don't think you should ever be on your heels as a defensive player, but you should be attacking the ball every chance you get."
Pro Football Focus graded Rodriguez as college football's No.1 linebacker of the 2025 season with an elite 93.3 grade. He ranked first in both pass coverage and run defense.
Rodriguez is a multi-time team captain who, by all accounts, loves the game of football and is a tireless worker and incredible leader. He fits the Buccaneers’ “I Am That Man” initiative and is a dream fit for Tampa Bay both on and off the field.
His stock only continues to rise, as he’s projected as a late first or early second-round draft pick. It’s not often that a player checks every box you could ask for while simultaneously filling your biggest need. Rodriguez is a rare caliber of prospect, and the Buccaneers need to do whatever it takes to be the team calling his name on draft night.