The New England Patriots nearly achieved a remarkable season in 2025 under head coach Mike Vrabel.
The Patriots had a strong season last year, finishing with a record of 14-3. They won three playoff games but ultimately lost to the Seattle Seahawks 29-13 in the Super Bowl. The team is now focused on making the necessary improvements to return to the Super Bowl and bring home the Lombardi Trophy this time.
One possible move for the team could be to strengthen its defense. Pro Football Focus' Jordan Plocher predicts the Patriots to select linebacker Jacob Rodriguez from Texas Tech with the No. 31 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
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"Rodriguez is a smart, versatile and technically sound player who could earn the trust of Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel and get on the field quickly in the NFL," Plocher wrote. "He put together an incredible 2025 season for a college linebacker, winning the Butkus Award (given to the nation's most impactful linebacker) and earning the top PFF overall grade among linebackers (93.0)."
"He finished 2025 with 94 tackles, including 70 stops, which ranked second in the nation among linebackers," Plocher continued. "His 94.8 PFF run-defense grade ranked first. Rodriguez excels at getting the ball back for his team, as his seven forced fumbles were the most in the country at the position. In coverage, he snagged four interceptions and broke up three passes in zone, leading to a top-ranked 92.3 PFF coverage grade."
If New England makes this move, the immediate ripple effect would be felt across the entire defense. Rodriguez’s ability to generate turnovers would add a playmaking element that can swing close games, something that proved crucial in their Super Bowl loss.
It also signals a broader shift in how the Patriots may approach winning a championship. Rather than relying solely on structure and situational defense, adding a player like Rodriguez allows them to be more aggressive and unpredictable. His presence in the middle of the field could free up pass rushers, improve third-down efficiency and create more short fields for the offense, an area that often separates contenders from champions deep in the postseason.
Looking ahead, all eyes would turn to how quickly Rodriguez can carve out a role once training camp opens later this summer if he is selected by New England. If he develops as expected, he could become a central piece in the Patriots' push back to the Super Bowl, with the 2026 season opener serving as the first real glimpse of whether this defense has taken the leap from elite to championship-caliber.
