![\"MIAMI](\"https:\/\/platform.bucsnation.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/50\/2026\/02\/gettyimages-2253789092.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0,0,100,100\")
<\/a><\/p>\nMIAMI GARDENS, FL – JANUARY 01: Texas Tech Red Raiders linebacker Jacob Rodriguez (10) drops back in coverage during the Orange Bowl between the Oregon Ducks and the Texas Tech Red Raiders on Thursday, January 1, 2026 at Hard Rcok Stadium in Miami Gardens, FL. Photo by Peter Joneleit\/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) Icon Sportswire via Getty Images<\/p>\n
Round 2, Pick 46 \u2014 LB Jacob Rodriguez, Texas Tech<\/p>\n
Alright, that first pick was a mouthful so we\u2019ll be more brief from this point onward.<\/p>\n
While I did say signing a linebacker takes the pressure off the need to get a top-tier one in the draft, that doesn\u2019t mean the Bucs shouldn\u2019t be open to it \u2014 especially if they find themselves in an optimal position to do so.<\/p>\n
Rodriguez, who won the Butkus Award in 2025 as the nation\u2019s top linebacker, is a turnover machine (19 in 30 career college starts) who plays with excellent athleticism and effort. He\u2019s instinctual and sees the whole field to knife through blockers and make plays despite smaller stature.<\/p>\n
Rodriguez would immediately aid a massive weak spot in Tampa\u2019s defense the last few years, that being coverage in the middle of the field and against running backs. He has the speed to play man coverage and carry receivers on wheel routes while having the patience to settle down and make tackles in space on checkdowns. His zone instincts and awareness would be like nothing the team has enjoyed since Lavonte David at the peak of his powers.<\/p>\n
He\u2019s lean (6-foot-1, 235 pounds) and not particularly skilled at rushing the passer, which isn\u2019t ideal, but signing someone like Nakobe Dean (who is VERY good at blitzing) and still having Sir\u2019Vocea Dennis on the roster would make that less of an issue and give Rodriguez a runway to improve without it actively hampering the scheme.<\/p>\n
A totally transformed unit of Dean, Rodriguez, and Dennis with Mesidor and Diaby coming off the edge would be huge in turning around the front 7.<\/p>\n
Oct 11, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns defensive back Malik Muhammad (5) celebrates after an interception during the game between the Texas Longhorns and the Oklahoma Sooners at the Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images Jerome Miron-Imagn Images<\/p>\n Round 3, Pick 77 \u2014 CB Malik Muhammad, Texas<\/p>\n The Bucs need to continue investing in the secondary with the likely departure of Jamel Dean and the uncertain futures of both Morrison and McCollum. When injuries ravaged the corner room last season, standout rookie Jacob Parrish departed his primary nickel role to play outside, and he did well there, so it might not be dire. However, if given the choice between Parrish being satisfactory as a boundary corner or game-altering at nickel, the team is likely more inclined to the latter.<\/p>\n So with the later Day 2 pick, Tampa picks the heady Malik Muhammad. As arguably Texas\u2019s best secondary player in 2025, Muhammad showcased excellent technique and intelligence playing a variety of coverage concepts for the Longhorns. He\u2019s disciplined and cerebral in zone, and a stupendous irritant in man despite his lithe frame (5-foot-11, 183 pounds).<\/p>\n The Bucs might not always go for the smaller guys on the outside, but it\u2019s hard to ignore Muhammad\u2019s sheer coverage chops and bulldog mentality. He could easily be cross-trained at nickel as well, giving the team even more of the coveted flexibility Bowles craves from his secondary.<\/p>\n Jan 29, 2026; Mobile, AL, USA; American defensive tackle Chris Mcclellan (97) of Missouri of Boston College works in a drill during American Senior Bowl practice at Hancock Whitney Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vasha Hunt-Imagn Images Vasha Hunt-Imagn Images<\/p>\n Round 4, Pick 116 \u2014 DL Chris McClellan, Missouri<\/p>\n The Bucs found a very solid contributor on Day 3 last year in Elijah Roberts, who ended up starting quite a few games (9) and playing a lot of snaps (more than 500) while showcasing some enticing potential as a pass-rusher. Run defense isn\u2019t quite as stellar, so the Bucs would benefit from finding someone stout to pair with him in a rotation.<\/p>\n Enter McClellan, who proved to a productive starter for two seasons at Mizzou. He looks NFL-ready with a well-built frame (6-foot-3, 315 pounds with 34\u201d arms), significant power, and heavy hands to stun offensive linemen and create movement on all four downs. He\u2019s reactive and leverages his strength and decent short-area quickness to make plays around the line of scrimmage.<\/p>\n Now here\u2019s the main issue, and why we\u2019re talking about him as a Day 3 pick: the consistency isn\u2019t all the way there yet, and the technique can be sloppy. His hands are strong, but McClellan needs to keep them moving throughout the rep. Too often he\u2019ll let a blocker into his chest and not have the discipline to reset and find a way to work through it. He also lacks bend and adequate pad level, which limits how dynamic he can be.<\/p>\n As a rotational piece, McClellan\u2019s pure power approach feels like a good pairing with the more nimble Roberts.<\/p>\n Indiana offensive lineman Pat Coogan snaps the ball as the Oregon Ducks face the Indiana Hoosiers in the Peach Bowl on Jan. 9, 2026, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. Ben Lonergan\/The Register-Guard \/ USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images<\/p>\n Round 5, Pick 153 \u2014 IOL Pat Coogan, Indiana<\/p>\n The Bucs struggled immensely with their interior line depth in all of 2025 when Ben Bredeson and Cody Mauch both missed huge chunks of the season and young options like Luke Haggard and Elijah Klein simply did not progress as hoped.<\/p>\n While seeking a a veteran interior lineman should be a priority in free agency, the team also needs to continue investing in young cheap options. Enter Coogan, a former Notre Dame recruit who started games at both guard and center in 2023 and 2024 before being starting center for the National Champion Hoosiers.<\/p>\n The Buccaneers scouting staff has strong familiarity with the Notre Dame program, so it likely has put eyes on Coogan prior to his transfer. Gaining someone at the pivot who also has guard experience would give the roster what it has so far failed to receive from Klein, as Coogan is a cerebral blocker who maximizes average strength and agility.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n