Malcolm Rodriguez

OLB · Detroit Lions vs New York Jets · 26 graded snaps

Replacement

Rodriguez provided aggressive downhill run support and solid kick-return blocking, but minor lapses against play-action and underneath coverage kept his grade just below solid starter territory.

Malcolm Rodriguez film grade: 68: share card

Run defense6912Coverage607Special teams667

The full breakdown

Rodriguez built most of his positive value defending the run (69 grade), flashing an explosive downhill trigger on stops against Breece Hall at Q1 06:15 and Q2 08:52, the latter resulting in a tackle for loss. He also contributed effectively on special teams, executing key wedge blocks on two explosive kickoff returns. However, his day was tempered by coverage and play-action missteps, notably biting on a bootleg fake for a 16-yard completion (Q2 07:29) and arriving late to Jeremy Ruckert's 4-yard touchdown reception at Q4 11:21.

Strengths

Downhill run trigger
Kickoff return blocking
Pursuit and lateral scraping

Weaknesses

Play-action discipline
Zone coverage break quickness

Plays that moved the grade

+1Q2 08:52, 2nd & 5Scraped tightly off the right tackle's hip to combine for a tackle for a 1-yard loss against Breece Hall.
+1Q1 06:15, 2nd & 3Triggered downhill instantly at the snap to beat his blocker's angle and stop Hall at the line.
-0.5Q4 11:21, 3rd & 4Reacted late to squeeze his underneath zone from the outside, allowing a 4-yard touchdown pass.

Every graded snap · 8 wins or losses, 18 routine

+1Q1 06:15 · 2 & 3 · Run defenseTriggers downhill immediately at the snap, beats Woods' blocking angle, and meets Hall at the line to initiate the tackle.
+1Q2 08:52 · 2 & 5 · Run defenseTriggers decisively on snap, scraping right off the hip of the right tackle to assist Izien in bringing down Hall behind the line.
-0.5Q2 07:29 · 1 & 10 · Run defenseBites heavily on the play fake to his left, unable to recover in time to offer boundary support.
+0.5Q2 05:33 · Special teamsFires into the oncoming coverage unit, effectively walling off his defender to the inside.
+0.5Q3 06:22 · Special teamsEffectively shields his defender inside, helping to clear the path for the explosive return.
+0.5Q4 11:36 · 2 & 4 · Run defenseFills downhill to support the edge and takes on Ruckert's block, closing the cutback lane.
-0.5Q4 11:21 · 3 & 4 · CoverageDrops into his zone but is slow to squeeze the route from the outside, arriving after the ball is completed.

Malcolm Rodriguez's season grades →