Chris Rodriguez Jr. 2023 NFL Draft Scouting Report

Background: 

• A three-star prospect by all the major recruiting services

• Lettered in football, basketball, and track 

• Ran for 4,730 yards and 66 touchdowns from sophomore to senior year

• Earned All-State, All-Region, and All-County honors
• Second-leading rusher in the SEC with 1,379 yards last season

System: 

• Scheme tendencies: Mixture of power/downhill and inside zone 
• 2022 projected role: Starting RB (if cleared, off-field situation)

Pros: The description of a bruising and downhill runner encapsulates Chris Rodriguez Jr. He’s a tone-setter in the most physical conference in college football. He thrives attacking between the tackles and into the teeth of the defense. His running style fits cold-weather climates. His patience and identification skills allow him space to navigate the first and second levels of the defense. He runs with good pad level and leverage, making him difficult to bring down. His punishing and physical style is exciting as he barrels through defenders and pushes the pile with his tremendous leg drive. He seeks to hammer alley defenders by lowering his shoulder. Rodriguez follows his blocks to daylight before shifting into his next gear to maximize his opportunities. He is a volume back that gets stronger as the game progresses. His disciplined approach allows him to gain what is blocked. 

Cons: Explosive is not a great way to describe Chris Rodriguez Jr.’s game. He lacks the dynamism to separate from chasing defenders. He is not a big-play threat, either—only four runs over 30 yards in 2021. He’s rarely able to win the corner against athletic linebackers. Rodriguez does not have three-down value–he’s not a threat as a receiver out of the backfield. It’s unrealistic to expect him to create lanes for himself because he is not equipped with quick jump-cuts, etc.  Elusiveness is not a part of his game; he breaks tackles with power. His bruising running style raises concerns about maintaining a clean bill of health. He prefers to run through defenders than evade and avoid. Altering his mentality a bit would benefit his long-term health. His skill set is limited, causing a low ceiling as a prospect.

Chris Rodriguez Jr. NFL Draft Scouting Report by Damian Parson