Bengals meet with super productive defender before NFL draft
It would be easy to see the Bengals running to the podium for this player.
The Cincinnati Bengals aren’t being shy about the defensive need ahead of the 2026 NFL draft. Those Bengals had a big meet with Rueben Bain to close the week, highlighting one of their very top options at No. 10.
Duke Tobin and Co. also had a reported meeting with Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez, per Tom Pelissero of NFL Media. Rodriguez won the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Butkus Award, Lombardi Award, and Chuck Bednarik Award last year, courtesy of 129 tackles, 11 for loss, one sack, four interceptions, seven forced fumbles, two recoveries and a return for a touchdown.
Got all that? The Bengals love their super-productive linebackers and have spoken at length about the need to get better at the spot. Demetrius Knight and Barrett Carter are still the plan there, but adding someone like Rodriguez would certainly fill a need.
This article originally appeared on Bengals Wire: Bengals meet with super productive defender before NFL draft