Vikings Could Strike Gold with This Linebacker Pick
Kirby Lee-Imagn Images The Minnesota Vikings will be on the clock later this month when the NFL Draft kicks off from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It remains a mystery what they may target with the 18th overall pick, or whether they will stick there at all. They have nine selections as things stand currently, though, and there’s lots of opportunity to infuse the roster with young talent.
Not all draft prospects are made the same, and while eligibility hits before a senior season for a collegiate product, all journeys are different. Rodriguez’s Production and Playmaking Jump Off the Tape Last season, we heard all year long about how expensive the Texas Tech Red Raiders roster was, and specifically how impressive the defense played. No one contributed more to that than linebacker Jacob Rodriguez.
A super senior who spent the past four seasons with Texas Tech, Rodriguez experienced new heights in 2025. Originally recruited as a quarterback by the Virginia Cavaliers, he posted a career-high 128 tackles last season and led the Big 12 for a second straight season in solo tackles (63). Dec 6, 2025; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders linebacker Jacob Rodriguez (10) gets into position during the game between the Red Raiders and the Cougars at AT&T Stadium.
Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images After racking up 10. 5 tackles for loss in 2024, Rodriguez topped the number with 11 in 2025. He generated a sack and, out of nowhere, picked off four passes.
His seven forced fumbles led the conference, and he scooped up a pair of them as well. For his efforts, Rodriguez was fifth in Heisman voting, as well as earning the Nagurski Award (most outstanding defensive player) and Bednarik (defensive player of the year). An All-American as well, you don’t often see talent like this escape the first round.