Jacob Rodriguez
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Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez would be a great add for the Vikings.
The Minnesota Vikings have plenty of needs to address in the NFL Draft later this month, but there’s one surprising position that may actually be more important to fix early than initially thought.
While most experts have the Vikings taking a defensive back or a defensive tackle with their first or second-round pick, Bleacher Report’sAlex Ballentine highlighted another surprising spot the Vikings could use their higher selections on instead.
“The Vikings could completely ignore the off-ball linebacker position and be fine for the 2026 season,” wrote Ballentine. “Blake Cashman, Eric Wilson and Ivan Pace Jr. are a good enough trio that Minnesota’s front office could use their draft resources elsewhere.”
“But they would also be ignoring the reality that Cashman and Pace are both free agents in 2027 and Wilson is 31.”
Minnesota Vikings Could Go Against the Grain and take an Off-Ball Linebacker Early
Cashman and Wilson make up one of the NFL’s more solid linebacker duos, andcombined for 259 tackles, 8.5 sacks and five forced fumbles in 2025. The Vikings re-signed Wilson earlier this offseason to a three-year, $22.5 million contract after enjoying the best season of his career. Still, at 31, Wilson could potentially see a rapid regression over the next year or two, and the Vikings may be smart to start looking for his successor.
Not to mention, if either Wilson or Cashman miss some time due to injury, there isn’t a lot of quality depth behind them to pick up the slack.
Pace was a standout undrafted rookie in his first NFL season, but has seen his role shrink in recent years. His snaps have decreased each season, and it’s not likely that Minnesota sees him as much more than a rotational backup at this point. So, could the Vikings use a top pick in this year’s draft on an off-ball linebacker despite not having an immediate need?
Could Minnesota Target Top Linebacker Jacob Rodriguez in the NFL Draft?
Ballentine suggests that Minnesota could look at Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez, the2025 Butkus Award winner and a likely Day 2 pick.
“The good news is that Brian Flores does a good job of getting production out of linebackers who might not be prototypical size for the position,” continued Ballentine. “Rodriguez would be an especially fun fit given his knack for forcing turnovers in an already chaotic defensive system.”
Rodriguez would be a perfect fit for Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores after notching seven forced fumbles and four interceptions this past season for the Red Raiders. His smaller size at 6-foot-1, 230 pounds, may scare some teams off from taking Rodriguez too high in the draft, but Flores has proven time and time again that he can utilize players who have a knack for finding the football.
While Minnesota may be more inclined to address the position at a later point in the draft, the possibility that they use a Day 2 pick on an off-ball linebacker can’t be ignored. Time will tell how interim general manager Rob Brzezinski approaches his first solo draft.