Potential Cowboys’ draft target gets the Jason Witten seal of approval one week before 2026 NFL Draft
A Dallas Cowboys’ potential target just received the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year award one week away from the start of the 2026 NFL Draft. And he happens to play linebacker.
Having your name attached to Dallas Cowboys legend and future Hall of Famer Jason Witten one week before the NFL Draft can’t be a bad thing, right?
That’s exactly what happened to Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez. On Thursday, he received the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Award on Thursday. Rodriguez is eligible to be drafted next week.
The award is presented annually to the “FBS college football player who has demonstrated a record of leadership by exhibiting exceptional courage, integrity and sportsmanship both on and off the field.”
Naturally, the award is attached to Witten’s exemplary career on and off the field. On top of five All-Pro seasons and 11 Pro Bowls, Witten received the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award in 2012. The winner, Rodriguez, was selected by a subset of the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Board of Directors.
Rodriguez could be a Cowboys draft target next week
Rodriguez is a likely target for Dallas given the team’s pressing need at the linebacker position. The Texas Tech prospect is one of the top linebackers in the class. He ranks third in the position per the consensus big board. He is a projected second-round pick.
“Rodriguez is a fascinating study at the linebacker position,” writes our own Rob Gregson in his scouting report. “Despite starting his career on offense at Virginia, Rodriguez adapted to the stacked backer position like a chameleon, showing plus instincts, tackling ability, and the ability to force turnovers. There will be some concerns about his ceiling due to age, injuries, and size, but he is one of the most productive and cerebral players in the class.”
Rodriguez, who had a formal meeting with the Cowboys at the NFL Scouting Combine in February, talked about new defensive coordinator Christian Parker.
“I think the biggest thing is they’re just great people,” Rodriguez said via DLLS Sports. “I believe that they’re great coaches and (Christian Parker and his staff) are going to do a lot of great things this year.”
We’ll find out soon enough if Rodriguez will be a part of that or not. With no second-round pick at the moment, it will be a challenge for Dallas to walk away with him. Could they use pick No. 20 on him? Or could they move down to acquire him while gaining additional draft capital?
One thing is for sure: The Cowboys will love that Rodriguez comes with the Jason Witten seal of approval.