After trading for defensive tackle Ruke Orhorhoro less than a week before the 2026 NFL Draft, the Jacksonville Jaguars could address virtually any position at No. 56. This is why nobody would bat an eye if they go linebacker after watching Devin Lloyd bolt for the Carolina Panthers in free agency. Granted, Ventrell Miller is still around, and head coach Liam Coen just heaped praise on him, pointing out that he should feel good about the Jags not adding anyone else. That could change in Round 2.
Dating back to the end of the 2025 season, Jacksonville has been connected to linebacker Jacob Rodriguez. The Texas Tech product would fit the Jacksonville defense like a glove but has seen his stock skyrocket throughout the draft process. Expected to go in Round 2, there's a chance he'll be a first-round selection. In fact, an NFL insider has identified two potential destinations for him.
The Jaguars may not be able to replace Devin Lloyd with Jacob Rodriguez
Several NFL scouts told Jeremy Fowler of ESPN that the consensus predicts Jacob Rodriguez to be the second off-linebacker off the board once Sonny Styles is drafted. On top of that, Fowler notes that the Carolina Panthers and the Buffalo Bills have done due diligence on the former Red Raiders, implying that either team could be a landing spot for him.
This isn't necessarily breaking news. While he isn't nearly as athletic as other off-linebackers, he tested well at the NFL Scouting Combine. Couple that with the fact that he has the range to make all kinds of plays from all over the field, and it's easy to see why he could go in the first round. This wouldn't be great news for the Jags if they expected him to slide to Round 2.
Rodriguez is ranked 40th in The Athletic's top 100 big board, so it's definitely hard to tell just when he'll go. Heck, it won't be shocking if he's drafted in Round 1 or slides to the second.
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The Jaguars will still have options if Jacob Rodriguez goes in Round 1
It's not a given that the Jaguars will go linebacker in Round 2. As noted before, Ventrell Miller is still on the roster and has previously flashed playmaking skills. But if the team's brass chooses to address the position, Jacob Rodriguez is definitely a choice. And if he's gone by No. 56, Jacksonville will still have options.
Anthony Hill Jr., who had a pre-draft visit with the Jags, could still be available. The same is true for Jake Goldan and CJ Allen. All three are projected to go in Round 2 and would be viable fallbacks in case Rodriguez is off the board.
But if the Jaguars take care of another need in Round 2, they could still take a linebacker with any of their three picks in the third round. Deontae Lawson and Kyle Louis should be available at that point of the draft.
The bottom line is that Jacob Rodriguez would be a great pickup, but the Jaguars will have options in case they miss out on him.
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