Jacob Rodriguez
Getty
The Patriots could add an All-American to their defense
The New England Patriots look to return to the Super Bowl after losing the big game in the 2025 season to the Seattle Seahawks.
The Pats’ run defense was one of the best in the 2025 regular season, allowing 101.7 yards per game, the sixth-best in the league.
With the 2026 NFL Draft coming up in less than a month, New England can add one of the best run defenders in college football to the squad.
Patriots Predicted to Draft 317-Tackle Defender
Jacob Rodriguez
GettyPatriots could add a Big 12 defender to the team through the draft
While the New England Patriots had a strong defense in the 2025 regular season and most of the playoffs, it did not have its best performance in the Super Bowl loss.
Seahawks’ Kenneth Walker ran for 135 yards and logged 9 total first downs that proved to be monumental in keeping the ball away from the Pats’ offense that scored only 13 points.
Looking to prevent that from happening again, the Patriots are urged to reinforce the run defense in the upcoming draft.
Pro Football Focus’ Jordan Plocher released a mock draft, predicting the Pats will select Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez with the 31st overall pick.
“Rodriguez is a smart, versatile and technically sound player who could earn the trust of Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel and get on the field quickly in the NFL,” Plocher wrote. “He put together an incredible 2025 season for a college linebacker, winning the Butkus Award (given to the nation’s most impactful linebacker) and earning the top PFF overall grade among linebackers (93.0). He finished 2025 with 94 tackles, including 70 stops, which ranked second in the nation among linebackers. His 94.8 PFF run-defense grade ranked first.”
“Rodriguez excels at getting the ball back for his team, as his seven forced fumbles were the most in the country at the position. In coverage, he snagged four interceptions and broke up three passes in zone, leading to a top-ranked 92.3 PFF coverage grade.”
The soon-to-be former Red Raider has recorded 317 tackles (25.5 for loss), 6 sacks and 6 interceptions in his five collegiate seasons.
The linebacker finished fifth in Heisman voting and was the only defender to finish inside the top five.
Many mock drafts have Jacob Rodriguez falling in the late first round to early third round, leaving the New England Patriots a good chance to select the Butkus award winner.
Jacob Rodriguez Pro Comparison
Jacob Rodriguez
GettyTexas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez
Playing five seasons of collegiate football, Jacob Rodriguez is ready to go professional.
NFL analyst Lance Zierlein compared Rodriguez to the latest Defensive Rookie of the Year, linebacker Carson Schwesinger of the Cleveland Browns, praising the soon-to-be draft pick.
“Rodriguez arrived in college as an offensive “athlete” and leaves Texas Tech as a bigger-than-life, stat-stuffing linebacker. He’s uniquely productive, with elite tackle, interception and forced fumble production,” Zierlein wrote.
“Rodriguez displays ballhawking instincts and outstanding hands but busted coverages were part of the package in 2025. His unbridled urgency and “make every play” mindset can inflate missed tackle totals, but the production should outweigh the occasional headaches. He projects as a long-term starting inside linebacker.”
Being compared to the DROY would give Jacob Rodriguez high expectations, but not out of the window, with his latest season performance.