NFL Scouts Think The 2026 Draft Has The Next Charles Tillman — There Is One Problem
Charles Tillman has gone down in history as the greatest cornerback ever to play for the Chicago Bears. That really isn’t up for debate. He was fantastic for almost a decade with the organization, and literally changed the game of football as we know it. His incredible ability to force turnovers with his patented “Peanut Punch” has been copied and coached for over a decade since he retired. The Bears have had some really good cornerbacks since his departure, but none of them have quite captured the same aura as Tillman had.
You can bet for certain the organization would jump at the chance to land another player like him if they felt he was in this 2026 draft class. Well, it turns out, some NFL scouts believe that is the case. However, there is one problem.
He is a linebacker.
Bob McGinn of Go Long spoke to league evaluators about Texas Tech standout Jacob Rodriguez. They see a tough, athletic, and hyper-instinctive playmaker who served as the beating heart of one of college football’s best defenses. They also see a savant at forcing turnovers.
“Instinctive as shit. He’s quick, he triggers. Tough as hell. He’s fast. His only issue is he’s got those short arms (30 7/8). It does show up in space when he can’t finish on tackles. He’ll make 10 and then miss two, something like that. He’s going to have some missed tackles but he’s going to make a ton, too.”
“What his superpower is is just the instincts,” a third scout said. “He has a knack for creating turnovers – whether it’s in the passing game getting his hands on balls for interceptions or punching the ball out. He has some Charles Tillman to him. Like it’s part of who he is as a tackler. He goes for the ball and it shows up. He’s a high-character dude.”
Rodriguez has all the Charles Tillman traits except two.
He’s not 6’2″ with 33-inch arms and isn’t a cornerback. Many deem the linebacker, at 6’1″ with 30-inch arms, shorter than preferred for his position. However, that didn’t seem to matter much. Opponents still felt his wrath on many occasions. Not only was he elite at taking the ball away, but he was also lauded as a standout leader who constantly pushed his teammates. We talked about aura before, and Rodriguez has it. That is something the Bears’ defense is frankly missing. They have talent, but no substance.
This young man would change that. He might not be the superstar they seek, but players like him always carve out long careers thanks to their sheer understanding of the game. He is a good enough athlete to survive at this level, just like Charles Tillman was. The tricky part will be when to grab him. Most experts believe he will go in the 2nd round. That is great for the Bears since they have two picks in that range. The problem is that both are toward the bottom, which means he’d likely be gone.
Dennis Allen would love Rodriguez.
The Bears’ defensive coordinator is less concerned about size at the position than he is about range. They must be athletic enough to play in coverage while still handling their responsibilities around the line of scrimmage. Rodriguez showcased that ability with his four interceptions last season for the Red Raiders. He may not be tall, but he is plenty thick enough to handle the pounding of the NFL trenches. The Bears have said they want more playmakers. This young man is the epitome of it.
Being connected to Tillman is plenty interesting despite playing a different position. The point is that Rodriguez has the natural instincts of taking the ball away. It isn’t something that comes around often. While fans might prefer it in the form of another cornerback, the truth is they should be eager to grab it in any form. Turnovers are turnovers, regardless of who forced them. This guy can play. If the Bears’ coaches can figure out what to do with him, they shouldn’t be getting paid.