5 most underrated Detroit Lions players heading into the 2022 season

3. LB Malcolm Rodriguez

Look no further than how far Rodriguez fell in April’s draft, sixth round–pick 188, to determine how underrated he is. His production and accolades while at Oklahoma State, and strong athletic profile in during the pre-draft process, says Day 2 draft pick (maybe at worst). But a lack of size (5-foot-11) dropped him down draft boards.

Rodriguez has impressed Lions’ coaches thus far, so to see him push for a starting job in training camp if given a legit shot would not be a surprise. He recently addressed the concerns about his lack of size, and how adapting (along with his background as a state champion high school wrestler) can work to his advantage.

"It’s just one of those things where it was a height thing, that’s why I fell so far (in the Draft),” Rodriguez said. “The height and the arms. I always kind of used that to my advantage, being a wrestler, and having different angles and different ways to attack people. Different ways to attack people and linemen, obviously with short, compact arms. Either hit them or beat them with speed. It’s one of those things where I just kinda put it in the back of my mind and go out there and try to be around the ball with my instincts and everything.”"

Campbell has already said it’ll be “bloodbath” as the Lions’ linebacker depth chart sorts itself out. Rodriguez is just the type, with a chip on his shoulder from his draft fall, to supplant some mediocre/unproven veterans and become a Week 1 starter.