Malcolm Rodriguez has big plans for his rookie season with the Detroit Lions this fall.
“Definitely start on special teams, that’s the kicker,” Rodriguez told reporters during rookie minicamp last week. “Special teams is big here and so getting on special teams and working my way up in the linebacker room.”
The Lions could have more new faces at linebacker than any other position, and as they transition to an even-man front, their two draft picks at the position, Rodriguez and James Houston, should contribute in some way.
Rodriguez, a sixth-round pick, projects as a core special teams player after starting four seasons at Oklahoma State. He earned second-team All-America honors in 2021 and spent rookie minicamp playing middle linebacker and relaying defensive alignments during seven-on-seven drills.
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Houston, taken seven picks before Rodriguez in the sixth round, played as a rush linebacker at Jackson State, where he had 16.5 sacks and seven forced fumbles. He is transitioning to an off-the-ball outside role in Detroit, similar to how he was used early in his college career at Florida.
“My mindset is always the same on the field,” Houston said. “Just (be) physical, dominant and just be dynamic and make plays. So whether that’s on the line or off the (ball), I’m always trying to be in the backfield and just cause havoc.”
Like Rodriguez, Houston projects as a special teams contributor this fall.
The Lions re-signed Alex Anzalone to play in the middle of their defense, brought back top special teams linebacker Josh Woods and added Jarrad Davis and Chris Board in free agency.
Board played primarily in sub packages with the Baltimore Ravens last season and could have a similar role in Detroit if he does not beat out Davis or last year’s fourth-round pick, Derrick Barnes, for a starting spot.
Rodriguez and Houston had productive college careers, but slid in the draft in part because of size concerns.
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Houston, 6 feet 1 and 241 pounds, is small by edge rush standards and played sparingly on defense during his four seasons at Florida (including a redshirt year). Jackson State coach Deion Sanders said in the Barstool Sports series “Coach Prime” that Houston would not have started over the Tigers’ off-ball linebackers last season and moved to a pass rushing role to get on the field.
“I’m a dynamic player,” Houston said. “I get in that backfield and I cause havoc. I make plays, I cause turnovers and things like that, so forced fumbles are huge for me, picks, everything like that. That’s going to be the name of my game.”
Houston, who had a near interception in a seven-on-seven work during the Lions’ lone open practice last week, played alongside Rodriguez (5-11, 232 pounds) at minicamp, reprising a combination that first came together at the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl all-star game.
“It’s just been great having him right next to me,” Houston said. “I was watching the film yesterday and I was like, ‘Man, we look good together.'”
Rodriguez, a two-time state champion as a wrestler in high school, played safety his first two years at Oklahoma State before bulking up to 215 pounds and moving to linebacker.
He said his ideal NFL playing weight is 225 to 230 pounds, and his coverage ability could eventually earn him time on defense.
“I know this, he looks the part,” Lions coach Dan Campbell said. “I mean he’s in excellent shape and he’s been training. Now, those guys have been training for the combine, all of them, so they’re not in the greatest football shape right now, but you can tell he’s been working and he certainly looks the part, seems to be pretty smart like we thought he would be. We’ll see where it goes.”
Contact Dave Birkett at dbirkett@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @davebirkett.