Category: Projections

Malcolm Rodriguez is seizing a starting role at LB right away

Lions sixth-round rookie Malcolm Rodriguez is seizing a starting role at LB right away, calling to mind a former NFL All-Pro

Ask most Detroit Lions fans what the weakest position group on the team is and you’re going to hear “linebacker” more than any other. But a late-round rookie is fixing to change that a lot faster than nearly anyone expected.

Malcolm Rodriguez has quickly, steadily climbed up the Lions’ depth chart at linebacker. From opening camp as one of the two third-team LBs to the end of the practices leading into Saturday’s second preseason game, Rodriguez is now taking first-team reps almost exclusively. And “Rodrigo”, as he’s become known from his starring role in the first two Hard Knocks episodes, is proving he belongs in the starting lineup of Detroit’s 4-2-5 defense.

Rodriguez was a tackling machine at Oklahoma State, a player with a preternatural sense of where the ball is going on every play. The superb instincts and quick reactions have already shown they translate very well to the NFL level for Rodriguez, Detroit’s sixth-round pick back in April.

His head coach, Dan Campbell, is definitely taking notice.

“Yeah, I would say he just continues to grow. He’s just – I would say at this point, he’s steady,” Campbell said of Rodriguez prior to Thursday’s joint practice with the Colts. “He’s pretty steady. He does what he’s being coached to do, and he just gets a little bit better every day, and memory-banks it and continues to go.”

In that practice, Rodriguez keyed an impressive red zone series where the Lions blanked the Colts offense. No. 44 shot through the line untouched and nearly took the handoff from QB Matt Ryan before quickly terminating the play for a tackle-for-loss.

People with no connection to the Lions or Rodriguez are taking notice, too.

Being compared to Zach Thomas is lofty praise, but it’s not unfounded. They’re about the same size; Rodriguez is 5-11 and told us early in camp he’s playing at 232 pounds, while Thomas was listed at 5-11 and 228 pounds in his rookie season with the Miami Dolphins back in 1996.

Thomas proceeded to quickly overcome his fifth-round draft status and started, no–starred, right away for Jimmy Johnson’s Dolphins. He led the team with 154 total tackles and two sacks and finished second in the Defensive Rookie of the Year voting to Simeon Rice, who bagged 12.5 sacks.

Thomas would go onto a lengthy career with four first-team All-Pro nods by laying the groundwork for exactly how Rodriguez plays the game: smart, quick, tough. When we hear about Zach Thomas now, it’s in the conversation for being a Hall of Fame snub.

It’s way too early to look beyond even Week 1 for Rodriguez and the Lions. But it will be surprising if the good-natured rookie isn’t in the starting lineup when Detroit hosts the Philadelphia Eagles. Don’t be surprised if he leads the team in tackles that week, too.

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Projecting the Lions’ defense after first preseason game

Our Max Gerber offer his prediction for the players who make the Lions 53-man roster on defense

The Detroit Lions played their first game of the preseason on Friday evening and there’s much that can be speculated based on the players that took the field.

Preseason games are meant for evaluation of the players on the roster, specifically some of the guys who are competing for roster spots.

With predictions already made on the offensive side of the ball, it’s time to take a dive into Detroit’s defensive and special teams units and try to piece together what the roster may look like to start the season.

Defensive line (9)

In: Michael Brockers, Aidan Hutchinson, Alim McNeill, Levi Onwuzurike, Romeo Okwara, Julian Okwara, Charles Harris, Josh Paschal, Jashon Cornell

Out: Eric Banks, Isaiah Buggs, John Cominsky, Demetrius Taylor, Bruce Hector, Austin Bryant

The Lions have changed their scheme from a 30-front to a 4-2-5 defense, which means that they will need more defensive linemen rostered than they did last season.

What makes this group interesting is their positional versatility. Julian Okwara has practiced a small amount at off-ball linebacker this offseason, while many of these other players have been placed on the edge and interior of the defensive line.

Expect Hutchinson and Romeo Okwara to be the starting defensive ends, assuming Okwara is taken off the PUP list before the season begins. His younger brother Julian and veteran Charles Harris should be mixed in heavily to the rotation.

On the interior of the line, Michael Brockers should be the starting 3/4i defensive tackle while Alim McNeill plays nose tackle. Onwuzurike, Paschal, and Cornell lack the size to play the zero-technique role full-time, but are versatile enough to plug in at about any spot on the line that they are needed at.

Players like John Cominsky and Demetrius Taylor have had their flashes in training camp, but could unseat Cornell for that last roster spot.

Linebacker (5)

In: Alex Anzalone, Chris Board, Derrick Barnes, Malcolm Rodriguez, Anthony Pittman

Out: Jarrad Davis, James Houston, Josh Woods, Shaun Dion Hamilton

As mentioned earlier, the Lions will frequently utilize just two off-ball linebackers in their defense for 2022. As of now, Anzalone seems locked in as a starter while the other spot will be fought over by Barnes and Board.

Rodriguez and Pittman will be vital special teams players on kickoffs while also providing solid depth at the position. Pittman and Barnes also have been cross-trained as pass rushers for specific defensive subpackages.

Davis, Woods, and Hamilton are all veteran players who will have to prove themselves as special teamers if they want to secure a spot on the roster.

Cornerback (6)

In: Jeff Okudah, Amani Oruwariye, Will Harris, Mike Hughes, AJ Parker, Jerry Jacobs

Out: Mark Gilbert, Cedric Boswell, Saivion Smith, Chase Lucas, Bobby Price

One of the biggest battles throughout camp and the preseason is for the starting cornerback job opposite of Oruwariye. Right now, Okudah and Harris seem to be the top contenders there.

At the nickel cornerback spot, Mike Hughes and AJ Parker will have to compete to see which one will start and which one will be the backup. Hughes also has some experience on the outside, which could make him a more desirable candidate to keep on the roster. Rookie Chase Lucas has an uphill battle ahead of him if he wants to unseat those two and should be a quick add to the practice squad if he is cut.

It should be noted that Harris also has slot experience and should not be counted out for that role just yet. Harris also played safety throughout college and the entirety of his NFL career up to this point, which makes him a versatile tool for defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn to keep around.

Jacobs is currently on PUP as he continues to recover from his season- ending knee injury last year. If he is inactive to start the season, it’s up to Gilbert, Smith, Price, and Boswell to fight for that spot. Gilbert had some flashes of potential in a very limited role last season, but Price also can play safety which ups his value.

Safety (5)

In: Tracy Walker, DeShon Elliott, Kerby Joseph, Ifeatu Melifonwu, C.J. Moore

Out: Brady Breeze, JuJu Hughes

Walker and Elliott’s names should be written in pen at the top of the depth chart as the starting free and strong safeties, respectively. Behind them stand rookie Kerby Joseph and corner-turned-safety Ifeatu Melifonwu who will provide depth while primarily contributing on special teams.

Moore’s roster spot is given not for his talents on defense, but his strengths as a gunner and contain man against punt and kick returns. He’ll be a tough man for either Breeze or Hughes to unseat.

Special teams (3)

In: Austin Seibert, Jack Fox, Scott Daly

Out: Riley Patterson

The only job that isn’t decided on is the kicker, and it’s not an easy choice between Seibert and Patterson.

Seibert has the stronger leg of the two and is capable of hitting a field goal longer than 50 yards. Seibert, on the other hand, is way more accurate but is inconsistent when the field goal attempt is over 50 yards.

Whoever the Lions opt for will be a good choice as both performed well last season. It will be up to them and only them during the final two preseason games to take a lead in this kicking competition.

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Projecting the Lions’ offense after first preseason game

Our Max Gerber offers up his projection on who makes the Lions’ 53-man roster on offense

Despite losing 27-23 to the Atlanta Falcons, there was a lot to like about this young Detroit Lions squad in their first matchup of the preseason.

The final scores of preseason games are nothing to get too hung up on. Instead, we look to which players shined and how those players were used on the field.

The Lions have two more preseason games to play, but the first game already gave us a preview of what their depth chart may look like. If the season were to start today, here’s how the offense of their 53-man roster might shape out:

Quarterback (2)

In: Jared Goff, David Blough

Out: Tim Boyle

Theres no question that Goff will be the day-one starter for the Lions. What is still yet to be answered is who will back him up and how many quarterbacks the team might keep.

The jury’s still out on whether the team will keep two or three quarterbacks this season, but Blough’s performance on Friday surely didn’t hurt his case for being the next best option behind Goff.

Running back (5)

In: D’Andre Swift, Jamaal Williams, Craig Reynolds, Jermar Jefferson, Jason Cabinda (FB)

Out: Godwin Igwebuike, Justin Jackson

IR: Greg Bell

There’s realistically only one spot open and that is the fourth running back option. As of now, 2021 seventh-round pick Jermar Jefferson seems to have a hold on that spot over Igwebuike and Jackson.

All told, none of the three had spectacular outings against Atlanta, but Jefferson did take the field earlier than the other two, which may signal that he has surpassed them on the depth chart.

Igwebuike’s roster spot was greatly attributed to his special teams abilities. Between adding more competition for the return specialists and his fumbling issue last season, his job is now in jeopardy. He could be a candidate for the practice squad if he is not picked up by another team.

Cabinda is currently on the PUP list but should claim a roster spot once he’s activated.

Wide receiver (6)

In: Amon-Ra St. Brown, Josh Reynolds, DJ Chark, Kalif Raymond, Trinity Benson, Tom Kennedy

Out: Quintez Cephus, Kalil Pimpleton, Josh Johnson, Maurice Alexander

NFI: Jameson Williams

There’s little doubt that Dan Campbell and his staff would keep all of these players on the roster if they could.

Against Atlanta, Tom Kennedy was both Boyle and Blough’s go-to guy and racked up eight receptions for 104 yards in the process. Simply being healthy and available gives him priority over Quintez Cephus, who did not play in Friday’s preseason game.

Trinity Benson has done just enough to warrant a spot on the 53-man roster. He seems to have the edge over Igwebuike in the aforementioned kick return completion and had an impressive 24-yard catch against Atlanta.

The one caveat right now for Kennedy and Benson would be that one of them would likely be cut once first-round pick Jameson Williams is ready to play later in the season.

Tight end (4)

In: T.J. Hockenson, Brock Wright, James Mitchell, Garrett Griffin

Out: Shane Zylstra, Devin Funchess, Derrick Deese, Nolan Givan

Hockenson, Wright, and Mitchell appear to be locks for the roster at this point and it seems likely that this team lead by former NFL tight end Dan Campbell would be inclined to keep one more man at that position.

As of now, it’s a toss-up for that fourth spot, but Griffin seems to have a slight advantage over the others in the group. Griffin only had one catch for 11 yards against the Falcons but is versatile as he can be used as an in-line blocker, receiver, and fullback.

Zylstra and Funchess would be his top competition for that final spot. Zylstra has had an impressive camp and his skills as a blocker have started to show in his second year. Funchess had an outstanding showing during Friday’s game but simply hasn’t done enough in camp to warrant a place on the roster.

Offensive line (8)

In: Taylor Decker, Jonah Jackson, Frank Ragnow, Halapoulivaati Vaitai, Penei Sewell, Evan Brown, Matt Nelson, Tommy Kraemer

Out: Logan Stenberg, Dan Skipper, Obinna Eze, Kevin Jarvis, Ryan McCollum, Kendall Lamm, Darrin Paulo

There is no dispute over who the starting five linemen are for the Lions. Behind them, Evan Brown is the primary backup at center and both guard spots. The Lions will likely keep eight lineman like they did last season, which leaves two open backup roles.

At tackle, Matt Nelson has a leg up despite not having his best game against Atlanta. It’s not that he is the best option for Detroit, but more that the other tackles on the roster bubble struggled even more. Eze and Lamm both looked lost throughout their time on the field and struggled to keep up with the Falcons’ backup defenders.

Tommy Kraemer is getting the nod as the final lineman on the roster partially due to his successes last season. Kraemer started at guard for three games in 2021 and proved serviceable enough to stick around. Stenberg simply hasn’t proven himself over the last two seasons and this offseason hasn’t helped his case much.

 

Browns Stock Watch: A player from all 3 phases to watch against Jaguars

One player from each phase of the game that we will be watching Friday night for our Browns Stock Watch series:

The Cleveland Browns get back on the field Friday night against the Jacksonville Jaguars with a lot of questions still. While the team’s roster is stacked at most positions, the outcome of QB Deshaun Watson’s discipline and questions at receiver after injuries continue to be of concern.

There is also a lot to be excited about. RB Nick Chubb leads a great stable of running backs. The offensive line got RT Jack Conklin back and looks to continue to be one of the best in the league. The defense returned Jadeveon Clowney and retained a majority of their key players from last year’s defense.

There are several additions to the team that fans should also be excited about. For today’s Browns Stock Watch, we identify three of the team’s new players as ones we are excited to see on the field Friday night, one from each phase:

USA Today predicts Browns to finish last in AFC North

Uncertainty around Watson, Brissett’s struggles as a starter and Watson’s need to knock rust off led to a very low prediction for the Browns 2022 season:

The Cleveland Browns have a great roster with a lot of young talent and the coaching staff and front office are going into their third year together. They also have one of the biggest question marks in the NFL and it is at the most important position in the NFL.

Until there is a resolution to QB Deshaun Watson’s disciplinary process, it is tough to predict how the team on the field will perform. With QB Baker Mayfield dealt to Carolina, QB Jacoby Brissett is in place to take the snaps if there is a suspension.

Despite a top-flight roster, the looming suspension and Brissett’s poor record as a starter (14-23) on some quality teams have some down on Cleveland’s 2022 record. In a subscriber piece for the website, USA Today’s Nate Davis predicted the record for all 32 teams in the league. Davis has the Browns finishing 6-11.

Davis assumes a lengthy suspension for Watson and some difficulty knocking off the rust after missing all of the 2021 season and half of this year. While Cleveland has that great roster, Davis’ concerns about Brissett are appropriate.

Looking at his other predictions for the AFC North, which includes the Baltimore Ravens getting back to the top, brings a disconnect. Davis has the Pittsburgh Steelers finishing with a 9-8 record, third in the division, despite lacking a quality starting quarterback as well. The Steelers have a great defense and a quality running back but that doesn’t account for the three-game difference in the predicted records.

The Browns could struggle greatly under Brissett and Watson could struggle to return after over a year off. Until there is clarity on discipline and we get to see the team perform in the preseason, it is tough to predict what the 2022 season holds for Cleveland. Given the uncertainty, Davis

USA TODAY projects the Lions to finish in 2nd place in NFC North

The Lions rocket up the standings in the 2022 season record predictions from USA TODAY

Summer is often the season of NFL record predictions for the upcoming season. A few of those 2022 projections have the Detroit Lions nicely improving on the 3-13-1 record from a year ago.

One of those who foresees even bigger and better things for Detroit is Nate Davis of USA TODAY (subscription required). His official prediction is for the Lions to rocket up to eight wins and finish in second place in the NFC North division.

Here’s what Davis wrote in predicting the Lions to finish 8-9,

They played .500 football over the final six weeks of last season after going winless during the first 11 games. The culture seems to be established even if a building talent quotient probably still isn’t quite ready to challenge for a wild card.

The Minnesota Vikings are also projected to finish 8-9, well behind the Green Bay Packers at the top of the division. The Chicago Bears are at the bottom of the barrel at 4-13.

It’s a rosy picture painted for Detroit and it’s based as much on how well-coached the team is under Dan Campbell than it is the players themselves. That might explain why Campbell is a betting darling on the NFL Coach of the Year front.

Lions schedule: Too-early game-by-game predictions for all 17 games

Every NFL team’s most overrated player heading into 2022

Overrated doesn’t necessarily mean bad, especially in the Browns case, but these players aren’t living up to expectations:

The NFL has no shortage of talent, including a budding group of superstars and undervalued players who don’t get the recognition they deserve. But there are also plenty of players who are overvalued.

After looking at every team’s most underrated player, it’s time to look at the other side of the coin with the overrated players in the NFL.

Overrated doesn’t necessarily mean bad. It just means that these players aren’t living up to the hype, however fair or unfair it may be. For some, they’re underperforming in regards to their contract. For others, they’re not necessarily meeting the high expectations thrust upon them.

Our NFL Wire editors identified the most overrated player for each team heading into the 2022 season, explaining why they’re not exactly living up to the hype.

What the Browns are getting in Javon Wims

What the Browns are getting in Javon Wims #Browns

The Cleveland Browns continue making moves in free agency and have decided to add more depth to their receiving corps. The receivers look to be extremely solid this season with the addition of a few draft picks and a big name in Amari Cooper, but another underrated signing has arrived in Javon Wims.

Javon Wims is a name a few people may remember from his reasonably successful career during his time at SEC power, Georgia. Wims actually saw some meaningful starting snaps for the Chicago Bears. Wims was a seventh-round selection by Chicago in 2018. He was in Chicago until 2021, when he joined the Las Vegas Raiders and was eventually released after the season, but that’s enough of his past, let’s take a dive into what he can bring to the Browns.

Peter King offers up some genuine Lions optimism

NBC’s Peter King offers up some genuine Lions optimism in his latest article and projects a lot more wins in 2022

Now serving up a healthy helping of Honolulu Blue Kool-aid: NBC Sports’ Peter King.

In his latest edition of Football Morning in America, King features the Detroit Lions. It’s a piece bubbling with optimism as King includes reports from an earlier trip to Lions HQ in Allen Park and snippets of interviews with head coach Dan Campbell and GM Brad Holmes.

“I’m more bullish on the Lions than the wiseguys are, more bullish than the NFL is.,” King writes.

He’s not alone in that sentiment, but King’s unexpected praise is a nice shot of measured optimism on the eve of training camp. He notes the team’s strong finish (3-3 after a 0-10-1 start) and the overwhelming sense of unity around Campbell from the players as reasons why he believes the Lions can win eight games, a huge improvement over last year’s 3-13-1.

It’s always nice to see outside reporters have something positive to say about the Lions.

Myles Garrett ranked No. 2 EDGE defender in the league

Garrett had a fantastic 2021 and is poised to earn the No. 1 spot next offseason

Chalk up another accolade for Myles Garrett. The supremely talented Browns EDGE ranked very highly in the latest set of positional player rankings from our colleagues at Touchdown Wire.

Garrett ranks No. 2 in the EDGE defender listings, a lofty finish for No. 95 in brown and orange. It’s the highest Browns player ranking to date, eclipsing Denzel Ward’s No. 9 finish in the outside CB list. Analyst Mark Schofield dealt out some serious praise for Garrett in the detailed breakdown,

Were it not for the season put together by the player who tops this list, there is a strong case to be made for Myles Garrett to rank atop the NFL’s edge defenders.

In fact, that case can be made even with the work the player checking in atop the list put in last season.

Garrett set career-high marks in a few different categories last season, posting his best sack total since entering the league (16) along with his most quarterback pressures (52). Since entering the NFL, his combination of technique, speed and power has given many an offensive tackle a tough afternoon.

The man who finished above Garrett is Pittsburgh’s T.J. Watt. It took Watt notching 22.5 sacks last year to edge out Garrett in the EDGE rankings in an AFC North rivalry that figures to once again be a heated one.

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