Broncos get bad advice about player to avoid in 2026 NFL Draft originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Denver Broncos will head into the 2026 NFL Draft looking to patch any potential holes in what they feel is one of the best rosters in the league. If they don't go that route, they may take the best player on the board in order to help keep the future bright in the Mile High City.
Though the Broncos don't own a pick until late in the second round, the team does not have any pressing needs. In other words, there may not be a spot where the team has to find a prospect. They could, however, improve the running back, tight end, inside linebacker and defensive line spots with players from this class.
Many fans would like to see them add a prospect at inside linebacker to add depth behind projected starters Alex Singleton and Justin Strnad. One of the best prospects at inside linebacker in this class is Jacob Rodriguez from Texas Tech, but it is the opinion of Alex Ballentine of Bleacher Report that if there is one player the Broncos must avoid in this draft, it's Rodriguez.
Much of that is due to Rodriguez's short arms. Here was his analysis:
"The Broncos don't have a first-round pick after trading for Jaylen Waddle so it's important that they find a good fit in the second round.
Drafting a linebacker is certainly a possibility. It's one of the few positions on their defense that could use a long-term solution. However, Jacob Rodriguez isn't the kind of player they need in the middle of their defense.
Vance Joseph's defense calls for versatile inside linebackers who can both cover and be effective blitzers. Rodriguez has good coverage skills, but there are legitimate concerns about his size and arm length.
The Texas Tech 'backer has 11th percentile arm length and it shows up in his ability to take on blocks. Its a concern that B/R scout Matt Holder brought up in his scouting report:
"Combination of arm length and below-average strength limits his extension and leads to him getting stuck on blocks from offensive linemen."
Rodriguez was an incredibly productive collegiate linebacker, but his subpar size and play strength make him a questionable fit for a Denver team that doesn't have the capital to take risks on outliers."
It seems like this would be a bad move. However, it would be a surprise if the Broncos even have a chance to get Rodriguez, as there is an above-average chance that he will be off the board well before the No. 62 pick. However, if he is still available, the Broncos would have to strongly consider taking him.
"I wouldn't be surprised at all if he ended up on Thursday night."@dpbrugler on the possibility of Jacob Rodriguez getting selected in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft. pic.twitter.com/Fj5KaPkku8
— The Athletic Football Show (@TA_FootballShow) April 15, 2026
In Denver, Rodriguez would not need to come in and be a Week 1 starter. He could learn behind two long-term veterans in Singleton and Strnad, who are quite familiar with what Vance Joseph expects.
Though there is a concern over him being pushed around at the professional level, it doesn't outweigh his ability to make tackles and drop back into coverage. Rodriguez's skills in coverage aren't just those of a player willing to give the effort; he has elite coverage skills, and that is something the Broncos have been sorely lacking at the inside linebacker spot for years.
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