Writer: Gage O'Leary
Twitter: @Deep_Shot_Gage
Twitter: @DeepShotSports
Higher expectations for Lions in 2022:
It's been a long time since Detroit has had this much buzz around the Lions and it's not just coming from the state of Michigan. The Lions have saw a lot of new faces come in the last two seasons since the additions of General Manager Brad Holmes and Head Coach Dan Campbell. A new leader under center in Jared Goff is now in his 2nd season in the Motor City as long time Lions QB Matthew Stafford won a Superbowl in his first season as a LA Ram. GM Brad Holmes has done some great things for the team, obviously there hasn't been much to show for it as it's only his 2nd season but the additions he's made sure has put Detroit on everyone's radar. Holmes has shown when it comes to the draft that he'll do what it takes to get what he wants and the deal for Rookie Alabama WR Jameson Williams shows that. Holmes was able to strike a deal with rival Minnesota Vikings to move up from the 32nd pick in the 1st round to the 12th, he gave up shockingly little considering trading with a division rival and moving up 20 spots. Holmes got a lot done this off-season bringing in Ex-Jaguars WR DJ Chark, resigning WR's Josh Reynolds and Kalif Raymond, TE/WR Devin Funches and RB Justin Jackson... Those moves bulked up the offense, on the defensive side, Holmes brought back S Tracie Walker, signed S DeShon Elliot, resigned LB's Alex Anzalone and Charles Harris, released EDGE Trey Flowers, brought in LB Jarrad Davis for his 2nd stint, drafted EDGE Rusher's Aidan Hutchinson, Joshua Pascal and James Houston, drafted S Kerby Joseph, CB Chase Lucas, and... LB Malcolm Rodriguez who is proving to be the steal of the draft coming into camp as a 6th round pick....
Malcolm Rodriguez's collegiate career:
Detroit sure has a knack for drafting star players out of Oklahoma State and it's not just the city's Football team. In last year's NBA draft, the Detroit Pistons, who held the #1 pick in the draft selected Oklahoma State star PG Cade Cunningham who made his presence known in his rookie year with the Pistons. Perhaps the best draft pick in Detroit Lions history, RB Barry Sanders played college ball at Oklahoma State, the rest was history. Rodriguez, or as his coaching staff and teammates would call him, Rodrigo, was named a Captain for the Cowboys in 2020 and again in 2021.
He Brings with him a hefty resume:
2018 Honorable Mention All-Big 12 (Coaches)
2019 Second Team All-Big 12 (Coaches)
2019 OSU Leslie O’Neal Award (Defensive MVP)
2020 Second Team All-Big 12 (Coaches)
2020 Second Team Academic All-Big 12
2020 Team Captain as voted by teammates
2021 All-America First Team - ESPN, The Action Network
2021 All-America Second Team - Associated Press, AFCA, The Sporting News, FWAA, USA TODAY, CBS Sports, The Athletic, Phil Steele
2021 PlayStation Fiesta Bowl Defensive MVP
2021 Associated Press All-Bowl Team
2021 Butkus Award Semifinalist (one of 16)
2021 First Team All-Big 12 (Coaches & AP)
2021 First Team Academic All-Big 12
2021 Honorable Mention Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year (Coaches)
2021 Team Captian (voted by teammates)...
In 5 seasons with Oklahoma State Rodriguez racked up 408 TOT, 254 SOLO, 154 AST, 11 PD, 7.5 SACKS, 7 FF's, 2 INT's, 1 TD...
Rodriguez turning heads in Lions camp:
Rodrigo was the star in EP.2 of HBO Max's "Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Detroit Lions" Malcolm was making some very impressive plays, showing his motor and heart. As seen on Hard Knocks, Rodriguez is playing with Grit, exactly what Head Coach Dan Campbell has preached. Kelvin Sheppard, defensive assistant for the Lions was seen constantly praising Rodriguez's ability. Perhaps one of Malcolm's best traits is his power. When you think of hard hitters in the NFL throughout the years some names that come to mind are Lawrence Taylor, Ronnie Lott, Jack Lambert and Ray Lewis just to name a few. What Malcolm Rodriguez brings to the NFL is potential to be the biggest hitter in the league, a few minutes of watching his highlights and you'll agree. A quick statement was shown in Episode 1 & 2 of Hard Knocks, in the show Malcolm said "Training Camp is awesome, because you get to hit people" he said that with a smile on his face. It's not often a 6th round pick makes a big impact on an NFL roster in his rookie year but as Kelvin Sheppard said, he's going to continue to climb the depth chart and could even be a regular starter year 1 for Detroit. It's hard to picture a better fit for Detroit, his grit, mentality, strength, passion for football, all screams perfect fit for the Motor City. He's going to be great under Dan Campbell and Aaron Glenn. I believe we'll be seeing #44 making plays often in Honolulu Blue, and he's surely on his way to becoming a fan favorite...
Thank you for reading and enjoy the rest of you're week. #OnePride
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