Grading every Commanders pick from the 2023 NFL Draft
By Dean Jones
Commanders drafted Chris Rodriguez Jr.
- Running Back | Kentucky Wildcats
Eric Bieniemy got himself a new weapon to call upon when the Washington Commanders selected Chris Rodriguez Jr. at No. 193 overall. The running back joins a room that also consists of Brian Robinson Jr. and Antonio Gibson, which could be a highly productive trio providing the offensive line live up to their end of the bargain.
Rodriguez comes into the NFL on the back of four decent seasons at Kentucky. He broke out in a big way in 2021 en route to 1,378 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns, displaying a power-type presence with a thick frame that made him a difficult proposition to bring down.
His production dipped slightly last season thanks in no small part to his suspension following a DUI, but Rodriguez could offer another option in short-yardage situations or in the red zone if Bieniemy sees fit.
Rodriguez doesn’t have pure breakaway speed – far from it, actually. However, he is a patient runner with enough burst to go through gaps when they arrive and boasts decent contact balance to keep his legs churning.
Draft Grade: B
There is some work ahead in terms of pass-blocking and becoming a threat in the passing game. Rodriguez doesn’t look like a readymade replacement for the released J.D. McKissic, but Bieniemy obviously saw enough in the one-time Wildcat to take the plunge.