Sports
Vikings Could Strike Gold with This Linebacker Pick
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).
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. Except that’s currently the expectation.
Minnesota has four selections in the top 100. It’s unlikely that Rodriguez lasts until the third round, but there may not be a better second-round value. The Vikings have Eric Wilson and Blake Cashman penciled in as starting linebackers, but the former is an aging veteran, and the latter is an injury concern. Rodriguez would push Ivan Pace Jr. to find himself again, and could wind up a long-term starter.
The Vikings have plenty of holes to address in the draft, but fortunately, most of the offensive side of the ball can be looked at in the middle rounds. If linebacker is something of a consideration, it’d be pretty hard to look anywhere else.
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