Pair of Detroit Lions linebackers are off to a hot start

Heading into the 2022 season, most believed that one of the Detroit Lions' biggest weaknesses was their linebackers' room.

W.G. Brady
September 20, 2022

Heading into the 2022 season, most believed that one of the Detroit Lions‘ biggest weaknesses (arguably the biggest weakness) was their linebackers’ room as they were rolling with Alex Anzalone, Malcolm Rodriguez, and Chris Board as their primary linebackers.

But two games into the season, both Rodriguez, who was selected in the sixth round of the 2022 NFL Draft, and Board, graded out very well according to Pro Football Focus.

According to PFF, Board is the No. 13 overall linebacker in the NFL and Rodriguez is No. 14.

During the Lions’ Week 2 win over the Washington Commanders, Rodriguez posted the highest PFF run defense grade (88.2) in the entire NFL.

NFL LBs with the highest run defense grades from Week 2:

1. Malcolm Rodriguez: 88.2
2. Devin Lloyd: 86.5 pic.twitter.com/FPctHDthV9

— PFF College (@PFF_College) September 20, 2022

Nation, do you think this is a fluke or do you think Detroit Lions LB Malcolm Rodriguez is the real deal?

W.G. Brady

W.G. Brady is a Detroit-based journalist who has been covering the Detroit sports scene for Detroit Sports Nation for several years. He is in his early 30s and has a wealth of experience in the industry. Throughout his career, W.G. has established himself as a respected and knowledgeable journalist known for his in-depth coverage of the teams and athletes in Detroit. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for sports, W.G. has become a go-to source for fans and readers looking for the latest news and analysis on the Detroit sports scene. He has a good reputation in the sports community and is respected for his unbiased coverage of sports events. W.G. is known for his ability to uncover hidden stories and provide unique perspectives on the teams and athletes he covers. He has a good understanding of the city of Detroit and its sports culture, which he uses to inform his reporting and analysis. He continues to be a respected journalist in the Detroit sports industry.