Chris Rodriguez Jr., RB Kentucky: Offseason 2023 NFL Draft Profile

Rodriguez was a three-star recruit from Ola High School in McDonough, Ga. in the class of 2018

Kentucky’s Chris Rodriguez Jr. was one of the nation’s most productive running backs in 2021. Offseason trouble, including a DUI, could impede the former three-star recruit’s ability to match his breakout season when the Wildcats take the field this fall. We’ll see how Rodriguez’s unfortunate offseason impacts his stock for the 2023 NFL Draft.

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Chris Rodriguez Jr., RB Kentucky: 2023 NFL Draft Profile

Classification: Redshirt senior running back from McDonough, Ga.

Background: Rodriguez was a three-star recruit from Ola High School in McDonough, Ga. in the class of 2018. He was the No. 1,156 recruit according to 247Sports and No. 1,084 for On3.com. Rodriguez was an unranked three-star recruit for Rivals and an unranked three-star recruit for ESPN with a 70 grade out of 100. As a high school senior, he ran for 1,669 yards and 25 touchdowns on 233 carries. Rodriguez also produced 1,660 rushing yards and 26 touchdowns as a junior and 1,401 yards and 15 touchdowns as a sophomore. He participated in varsity basketball and track and field. Rodriguez has two siblings.

2021 Production: 13 games, 225 carries, 1,378 yards, 10 touchdowns + 13 receptions, 61 yards, 3 touchdowns

2020 Production: 9 games, 119 carries, 785 yards, 11 touchdowns

2019 Production: 13 games, 71 carries, 533 yards, 6 touchdowns

2018 Production: 3 games, 2 carries, 43 yards (Redshirt Year)

Injuries & Off-Field: Missed two games in 2020, arrested in May of 2021 and charged with operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol, careless driving, and driving without tail lamps

Awards: 2021 Second-Team All-SEC, 2021 First-Team All-SEC (Associated Press)

Pros: Experience playing on the kick return and kick coverage units, finishes falling forward, patiently waits for the hole to open, keeps his legs churning, drags defenders for extra yards, lowers his shoulder pads into contact, good burst for a 224 lb. back, more speed than he’s given credit for, looks for work in pass protection, strong contact balance, has the speed to rip off chunk plays, has the frame to become effective in pass protection

Cons: Fumbled six times in 2021, has not and will not play a role as a pass catcher, only 23 targets in his career and it shows in his underdeveloped route tree, unreliable hands as a pass catcher, potential off-field red flags including a DUI, won’t play a role on third downs in the NFL unless it’s a short-yardage situation, not very elusive, sudden, or twitchy, doesn’t make players miss one-on-one in the hole or in the open field, lacks high-end stop-start agility, won’t win the edge consistently, can’t make cuts instantaneously, pass protection requires improvement

Overview: Rodriguez is unofficially listed at 5'11", 224 lbs. In 2021, he forced more missed tackles (56) than Hassan Haskins and finished 12th in the nation in runs of ten or more yards with 37. Rodriguez has surprising burst for his size, which allows him to break some chunk plays. However, physical limitations, including some lower body stiffness, mean he has below-average agility. This leads to Rodriguez lacking sudden, elusive movement. He’s more of a linear runner once he reaches full speed since cutting requires him to decelerate first (another thing he doesn’t do at a high level). Rodriguez flashes excellent contact balance, and he’s a powerful runner who finishes through contact.

Overall, Rodriguez lacks the skill set to play on third downs in the NFL. He should hear his name called on early Day 3, around where fellow Kentucky product Benny Snell Jr. went several years ago. However, there are some potential off-field red flags that could impact Rodriguez’s draft stock.

Role & Scheme Fit: Early down back in an inside zone or power scheme

Round Projection: Mid Fourth to Early Fifth

Player Comparison: N/A

Submitted: 07-17-22