It took longer than many Detroit fans wanted, but the Lions finally went after help in the LB corps in the sixth round of the 2022 NFL draft. With a pick acquired in an earlier trade with the Philadelphia Eagles, the Lions used the No. 188 overall pick on Oklahoma State thumper Malcolm Rodriguez.
If you like hitting, Rodriguez is your kind of linebacker. A former wrestler, the 5-11, 230-pounder plays with bad intentions directed toward the opposing offense. He’s undersized but has tremendous physicality to his game and better power than guys much bigger than him.
Fitting with the Lions prototype under head coach Dan Campbell and GM Brad Holmes, Rodriguez also exudes football IQ on the field. He might be the best LB in the entire class at avoiding blocks and attacking the ball carrier. He doesn’t always get to the point of attack due to average foot speed and tight hips, which is a big reason why he fell to the sixth round.
He’s got real potential as a MIKE backer in 3-LB sets and in sub packages against teams in a heavy formation. Rodriguez is very limited in coverage. It’s easy to envision a platoon system with Rodriguez handling run-game duties and Shaun Dion Hamilton replacing him on passing downs.
I wrote this about Rodriguez last fall,
Rodriguez is an insanely productive off-ball backer with outstanding instincts and finishing power. He leads the Big 12 in total tackles and does so with a downhill style that makes Detroit fans salivate. Rodriguez plays with a chip on his shoulder and relentless energy. Coverage is not his forte, alas, and at 5-11 and 225 pounds that makes him a tougher sell to the NFL. Easy to see the Lions falling in love with Rodriguez in the fifth or sixth round.
Mission accomplished.
