Colts Bolster Defense with Texas Tech Duo in 3-Round Mock Draft

Indianapolis lands linebacker Jacob Rodriguez and edge rusher Romello Height on Day 2 to address key needs.

Apr. 12, 2026 at 7:04pm

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting a football game or match, with players and the field broken down into sharp, overlapping shapes in a vibrant color palette, conveying the conceptual energy and strategy of the sport.An abstract, cubist-inspired illustration captures the strategic interplay between the Colts' new defensive additions from Texas Tech.Indianapolis Today

With no first-round pick, the Indianapolis Colts maximize their impact on Day 2 of the 2026 NFL Draft by selecting two defensive standouts from Texas Tech. In this 3-round mock, the Colts land linebacker Jacob Rodriguez, the 2025 Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year, and edge rusher Romello Height, who earned the highest pass-rush grade among all college edge defenders.

Why it matters

The Colts have undergone a defensive overhaul this offseason, parting ways with several key starters. Drafting Rodriguez and Height allows them to quickly rebuild their front seven with two high-upside prospects who played together in college, addressing both run defense and pass rush.

The details

With no first-round pick, the Colts target linebacker Jacob Rodriguez in the second round. Rodriguez was a finalist for the Heisman Trophy in 2025 after a dominant season, recording 128 total tackles, 6 pass breakups, 7 forced fumbles, and 4 interceptions. He earned a 93.3 overall grade from PFF, the best among all college linebackers. In the third round, the Colts select edge rusher Romello Height, who finished the 2025 season with a 92.9 overall grade and the highest pass-rush grade at his position. Height had 38 tackles, 10 sacks, and 2 forced fumbles in his final collegiate campaign at Texas Tech.

  • The 2026 NFL Draft is just weeks away.
  • Rodriguez was the 2025 Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year.
  • Height earned the highest pass-rush grade among all college edge defenders in 2025.

The players

Jacob Rodriguez

A linebacker from Texas Tech who was a finalist for the Heisman Trophy in 2025 after recording 128 total tackles, 6 pass breakups, 7 forced fumbles, and 4 interceptions. He earned a 93.3 overall grade from PFF, the best among all college linebackers.

Romello Height

An edge rusher from Texas Tech who finished the 2025 season with a 92.9 overall grade and the highest pass-rush grade at his position. He had 38 tackles, 10 sacks, and 2 forced fumbles in his final collegiate campaign.

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What they’re saying

“Rodriguez strengthens the second level, improving run defense and coverage, while Height enhances the pass rush. Together, they address two of the Colts' biggest defensive weaknesses in one draft, and they have experience playing together.”

— Sean Ackerman, Author

What’s next

The Colts will look to maximize their impact on Day 2 of the 2026 NFL Draft by selecting Rodriguez and Height to quickly rebuild their front seven.

The takeaway

By drafting Rodriguez and Height, a pair of defensive standouts from Texas Tech, the Colts are able to address key needs at linebacker and edge rusher in one draft, adding two high-upside prospects who have already proven their chemistry playing together in college.