Lions duo named to The Athletic’s All-Rookie Team

Detroit Lions rookie defensive end Aidan Hutchinson. Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK

Lions' Aidan Hutchinson, Malcolm Rodriguez named to The Athletic’s All-Rookie Team

By Michael Gallagher | Last updated 10/13/22

Although the Detroit Lions have the worst scoring defense and the 31st-ranked overall defense in the NFL, two of the team’s rookie defenders have stood out in a sea of underachievement.

Detroit landed selections at defensive end and linebacker in The Athletic’s recent All-Rookie Team list as No. 2 overall pick Aidan Hutchinson was chosen as one of the organization’s two picks at edge rushers, while Malcolm Rodriguez was tabbed as one of two selections at linebackers.

“The top two picks in April’s draft have shown solid, improving work against the run,” The Athletic said of Hutchinson and Jacksonville’s Travon Walker. “And each has offered glimpses of a much higher ceiling.

Rookie ranks in pass-rush win rate with stunts & blitzes removed, per PFF (50+ snaps through Week 5):

46. Aidan Hutchinson (10.7%)
47. George Karlaftis (10.2%)

59. Travon Walker (5.0%)
60. Arnold Ebiketie (4.6%)
— Austin Gayle (@austingayle_) October 13, 2022

“Rodriguez (33 tackles, three tackles for loss, two QB hits) has been a bright spot on a miserable Detroit defense. It was an absolute robbery that the Lions were able to snag Rodriguez in Round 6 (No. 188). He’s already playing 72 percent of defensive snaps and making a huge impact on special teams.”

Watch Malcolm Rodriguez on this play. Getting blocked by Jason Kelce, the best center in the league and a guy 70 pounds heavier than him, and tosses him like it’s nothing. The guy is just something else. @malcolmlrod @CowboyFB @Lions #okpreps pic.twitter.com/Or7iUBw3xj
— Chris DiMaria (@chris_DiMaria) September 11, 2022

Rodriguez leads the Lions in tackles for loss (four) and forced fumbles (one), and he ranks third on the team in tackles (39). Conversely, Hutchinson leads the team in pressures (15), hurries (nine), QB hits (three), and sacks (three).

The duo is also Detroit’s No. 1 and 3-ranked run defenders, respectively, according to Pro Football Focus.

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