Buccaneers have a perfect Lavonte David replacement sitting right in front of them

One of the top priorities for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' front office this offseason is upgrading the inside linebacker position.

Linebacker was a need dating back to last offseason, but Tampa Bay surprisingly opted to proceed with their in-house options rather than addressing the position via free agency or the draft.

This offseason is different. With Lavonte David widely expected to retire and linebacker remaining a glaring weakness, the position can no longer be ignored, and one NFL Draft prospect feels too perfect a fit for the Buccaneers to pass up.

Buccaneers need to draft Jacob Rodriguez as their linebacker of the future

Rodriguez’ senior season at Texas Tech was one of the greatest collegiate campaigns ever by a linebacker. He won the Chuck Bednarik Award, given to the nation’s top defensive player; the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, awarded to college football’s most outstanding defensive player; the Butkus Award, recognizing the nation’s top linebacker; and the Lombardi Award, given annually to the college football player who best embodies the values and spirit of NFL legend Vince Lombardi.

Rodriguez was a unanimous All-American and was also named the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year. He recorded 128 total tackles, one sack, four interceptions, seven forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries in 2025.

Throughout his career, Rodriguez tallied over 300 total tackles, along with six sacks, 13 forced fumbles, and six interceptions. He has proven to be a true gamechanger and a turnover machine.

Last offseason at the NFL Scouting Combine, head coach Todd Bowles emphasized his desire for ballhawks on defense. The Buccaneers place a premium on defensive players with a proven ability to take the football away, and Rodriguez fits the bill. He started the draft process with a bang, recording two forced fumbles and an interception at the Senior Bowl.

Jacob Rodriguez draws similarities to Lavonte David and Derrick Brooks

The biggest knock on Rodriguez is his perceived lack of size and speed, but he happens to measure nearly identically to Lavonte David and Derrick Brooks, the two best linebackers in Buccaneers history. Rodriguez is listed at 6-foot-1 and 235 pounds. David measured 6-foot, 233 pounds as a prospect, and Brooks played at 6-foot, 235 pounds during his Buccaneers career.

Rodriguez has not yet run an official 40-yard dash -- but he is estimated to be in the 4.70 range. The 2026 NFL Scouting Combine will test linebackers on Feb. 27, giving Rodriguez a chance to post official numbers and clear up any concerns. David ran a 4.65 at the 2012 NFL Scouting Combine, while Brooks ran a 4.67 at the 1995 NFL Scouting Combine, so Rodriguez isn't significantly slower than either of them.

Like David and Brooks, Rodriguez' greatest strength isn't elite athleticism, but rather his instincts, preparation, and leadership. He consistently finds the football and puts himself in position to make plays as the centerpiece of his defense.

Like David and Brooks both demonstrated in their college and pro careers, Rodriguez also has a penchant for forcing turnovers. That trait is what helped make David and Brooks the best linebackers in franchise history, and Rodriguez has the potential to become the next to follow in a lineage of elite linebackers in Tampa Bay.

Currently projected as a Day 2 pick, Rodriguez mirrors David's draft profile, as David was selected 58th overall in the second round in 2012. If Tampa Bay has the opportunity to add Rodriguez to the roster on Day 2, it will immediately upgrade a thin linebacker room at a tremendous value and provide a long-term answer at a critical position.

Rodriguez was simply born to wear red and pewter, and it would be a major disappointment if he doesn't get the call from Jason Licht on draft day.

Watch the highlights from Rodriguez’ 2025 season here and familiarize yourself with the next great Buccaneers linebacker.