Jacob Rodriguez may give Chiefs the perfect Drue Tranquill replacement

It’s pretty remarkable what Patrick Mahomes and Cody Campbell have built in Lubbock in just two years. Seeing players make millions of dollars playing college football might not be what we’re used to, but it’s allowed programs to thrive that haven’t before. Poor 2016 Mahomes would’ve loved to have the defense his alma mater had this year. The Red Raiders defense was chock-full of NFL talent this year and next year (corner Brice Pollack is a stud!).

One of the cool impacts of NIL is that it allows players to grow and develop more over time. After the 2024 season, Jacob Rodriguez was a fringe draft prospect, just hoping to find his way onto an NFL roster. Instead, he was able to go back to school, make great money, and also play himself into a likely Day 2 selection.

The question we’ve been wondering is whether a Texas Tech prospect will land in K.C. Mahomes reportedly has been a part of the scouting and development process at Texas Tech. Between David Bailey, Lee Hunter, and Jacob Rodriguez, there’s a chance “general manager” Patrick Mahomes gets a say in the draft. Regardless, all three are very good prospects and would have a real role on the Chiefs. With the Chiefs potentially cutting Drue Tranquill, they need to improve at linebacker.

To keep close tabs on the 2026 NFL Draft and the top prospects for the Kansas City Chiefs, make sure to bookmark our Arrowhead Addict Big Board. Our custom big board is tailored toward the Chiefs’ needs and thresholds.

NFL Draft Profile: Jacob Rodriguez, Linebacker, Texas Tech

Age: 23 (on draft day)

Height: 6-1 (verified)

Weight: 233 LBS. (verified)

Hand: 9.278 inches (verified)

Arms: 31.28 inches (verified)

Tape Exposure: Arizona State (2025), Utah (2025), BYU (2025)

Shades of: Ernest Jones

Jacob Rodriguez's background

Rodriguez attended S. H. Rider High School in Wichita Falls, Texas. He was a three-sport athlete in football, basketball, and track. He played quarterback in high school and was rated as a three-star prospect by 247Sports. He committed to Virginia out of high school and ended up playing an offensive hybrid role there. After 2021, he transferred to Texas Tech and began transitioning to linebacker.

At Tech, he received a medical redshirt his junior year due to a Lisfranc injury. He saw his breakout come in his final two seasons as a starter, tallying 316 tackles, 25.5 tackles for loss, 6 sacks, 6 interceptions, 12 passes defended, and 13 forced fumbles. He was awarded the Chuck Bednarik Award for the most outstanding defender in college football and finished fifth in Heisman voting.

Jacob Rodriguez's strengths

Ball Magnet

Maybe it’s his background as a former quarterback, but Rodriguez has a knack for generating turnovers—particularly a lethal peanut punch that helped him force 13 fumbles in college. Even at the Senior Bowl, he was able to force a fumble and catch an interception. He generated 19 turnovers in his college career.

Intangibles

Team captain of one of the best defenses in the country, he gets shout-outs from Mahomes and is described as the quarterback of the defense by coaches. He brings prior QB experience, an incredible mustache, and, if all that isn’t enough, he’s not even the coolest person in his marriage. His wife, Emma, flies Black Hawk helicopters for the Air Force and is stationed at nearby Fort Riley, Kansas.

Vision and IQ

Rodriguez has a great feel for space in zone coverage and reads and reacts well. He shoots gaps quickly and uses his vision effectively. He’s got a non-stop motor and is relentless in pursuit. He takes great pursuit angles and appears to be an above-average athlete at the position.

Jacob Rodriguez's weaknesses

Lack of Mass

Rodriguez is frequently moved off his spot by blockers, and his best shot is to out-athlete them. He doesn’t bring much in the blitzing game and lacks an enforcer element as a tackler. He will either be a weak-side backer or need the support of a bigger strong-side backer if he’s going to play MIKE.

Situation

Rodriguez didn’t really break out until the Texas Tech defense became elite. There could be as many as three or four first-round picks on that defense when all is said and done. That really helps a linebacker when you have Lee Hunter clogging up double teams and David Bailey and Romello Height crushing the quarterback in under 3.5 seconds. Is he a product of his environment?

Missed Tackles

He had 42 missed tackles over the last two seasons and frequently overshoots ball carriers. He needs to improve his form and strength to avoid misses in the open field.

Jacob Rodgriuez: A no brainer or a risk for the Chiefs?

With all of his accolades and stats, it would be easy to look at his profile and say this is a great prospect. He’s done a great job of improving his draft stock and seems to be a solid player. With that being said, there is some projection involved with his size and surroundings. His best role should be playing next to a Nick Bolton or a Patrick Queen. However, much of his skill set is similar to Drue Tranquill, and the Chiefs could bring him in if they have questions about 2025 draft pick Jeffrey Bassa.

Jacob Rodriguez is an instinctive and versatile linebacker who made a major impact in 2025, recording 11 takeaways and consistently swinging momentum in his team’s favor. A quick processor against the run, he diagnoses plays rapidly and shoots gaps with confidence, showing a natural feel for blocking schemes and backfield action. In coverage, he flashes strong awareness and ball skills, demonstrating the ability to drop into zones effectively and make plays on the football.

Round Grade: Red Chip (Third-Round Grade)