Rodriguez stands out for his production and readiness to contribute early. He racked up 252 tackles over the past two seasons, ranking among the national leaders and illustrating his consistency as a high-volume, dependable presence in the run and pass games. His size and tackling ability position him as a potential ready-made replacement for the veteran leadership left by David.
The Buccaneers’ recent inside-linebacker drafting history further supports the potential selection of Rodriguez in the early rounds. The franchise previously invested in Devin White at No. 5 overall in 2019, kickstarting a period of standout defensive play that included Pro Bowl recognition and All-Pro honors, underscoring the value Tampa Bay places on a high-impact inside linebacker.
Rodriguez’s final college season was highlighted by a dominant all-around performance. He led Texas Tech to the College Football Playoff push, earned unanimous All-American status, and captured the Nagurski Trophy, Butkus Award, Lombardi Award, and Chuck Bednarik Award. His standout college resume was reinforced by a strong NFL scouting combine showing a 40-yard dash in 4.57 seconds and a 38.5-inch vertical leap.
Draft analyst assessments project Rodriguez as a high-floor contributor with long-term potential at inside linebacker. He has been described as a productive, “long-term starter” type who can weaponize elite tackling, interceptions, and forced fumbles, while occasionally needing refinement in run fits. His profile aligns with a mid-round pick who could develop into a steady starting linebacker for the long term.
