The Tampa Bay Buccaneers hit an absolute home run in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft, landing the steal of the draft in Rueben Bain Jr.
Bucs fans are ecstatic that the team seems to have finally landed a game-wrecking pass rusher, and the defense is poised to take a huge leap next season. But there is still one gaping hole in the defense, and that’s at the inside linebacker spot.
Luckily for the Buccaneers, their best possible choice at the inside linebacker position is somehow still on the board entering Day 2, and they can’t let this opportunity pass them by.
Buccaneers need to trade up for Jacob Rodriguez on Day 2 of 2026 NFL Draft
We at The Pewter Plank have been pounding the table for Jacob Rodriguez throughout the entire draft process.
Manifesting. https://t.co/SUAGLkEB1f pic.twitter.com/whl49ubSns
— Josh Crysler (@josh_crysler) April 23, 2026
He’s got an incredible resume, serving as a two-time team captain at Texas Tech and recording over 300 total tackles, six sacks, six interceptions, and 13 forced fumbles during his college career.
His instincts are second-to-none, and as a result, he’s always around the football as a big play waiting to happen.
Hall of Fame Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly said that Rodriguez reminds him of Lavonte David, and what better way to replace David than adding a player that has a lot of similarities in his game?
The Bucs aren’t the only team in hot pursuit of Rodriguez. He’s going to be one of the most sought after second-round players, and teams including the Buffalo Bills, Dallas Cowboys, and Carolina Panthers rumored to have serious interest.
The Bills currently hold the No. 35 overall pick, and Rodriguez might not make it past them. Last year, Tampa Bay coveted UCLA linebacker Carson Schwesinger in the second round, but he was taken with the very first pick of Day 2. Rodriguez could be a similar story.
The Bucs can’t afford to miss out on Rodriguez, and if that means sacrificing a draft pick to move up and select him, it’ll be worth it.
Starting this draft class with Bain and Rodriguez back-to-back would transform Todd Bowles’ defense overnight, and catapult the Bucs right back into playoff contention.
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