We are now deep into Day 3 of the 2022 NFL Draft and the Detroit Lions just made their first of two 6th Round picks.
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With the No. 188 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, the Lions have selected LB Malcolm Rodriguez out of Oklahoma State.
Adding a linebacker to the draft class.
Welcome, @malcolmlrod!#LionsDraft | @powerhomesolar pic.twitter.com/1qv1T5Hhbi
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) April 30, 2022
Here is what Dane Brugler of The Athletic had to say about Rodriquez prior to the start of the draft.
A four-year starter at Oklahoma State, Rodriguez played weakside linebacker in former defensive coordinator Jim Knowles’ 4-2-5 base scheme. A high school quarterback, he played safety for two seasons in Stillwater before moving to linebacker because of injuries in 2019. He then led the team in tackles three consecutive seasons, becoming just the fourth player in school history to reach 400 career tackles. Rodriguez is quick to read his keys and make plays, both behind the line of scrimmage and in space (recorded at least six tackles in 40 of his final 50 games played). More concerning than the lack of height is his lack of arm length to punch himself off blocks or make up for imperfect tackling angles. Overall, Rodriguez won’t be for everyone with his poor size and linear tendencies, but he understands football geometry with the diagnose skills and competitive toughness to see the field in the NFL. He will need the right fit, similar in ways to Seattle Seahawks LB Ben Burr-Kirven.
The Lions’ next 6th Round pick is currently at No. 217 overall.
Nation, how do you feel about this pick?
Was Desmond Ridder the Right Quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons?
After a long wait for every quarterback not named Kenny Pickett (who was the 20th overall pick), Cincinnati‘s Desmond Ridder was finally the second quarterback drafted in the 2022 NFL Draft with the 74th overall pick by the Atlanta Falcons.
Ridder offers the superb combination of being a prospect who is younger (22.7) and experienced (49 games with 10-plus pass attempts). His final-season adjusted yards per attempt of 9.2 slots in second — trailing only Pickett — among the quarterbacks in this class who were expected to go fairly early.
From a fantasy perspective, Ridder will be an intriguing option as soon as he gets on the field thanks to his rushing ability. He ran for 18 touchdowns over his final two seasons at Cincinnati.
