Rodriguez in Detroit Camp and Warren in Steelers Camp Making Big Impressions

STILLWATER – It is no surprise that Detoit Lions sixth-round draft pick is showing off in training camp, especially now that the pads have come on. It didn’t take long for Rodriguez to come screaming through and make a tackle for loss on an early run play in team period

“He showed up yesterday,” Lions head coach Dan Campbell told the media.

Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions

Rodriguez in a walk thru.

He went on to say that Rodriguez was moving up the depth chart at a position in a room where the Lions were looking for competition and some players to stick out. Rodriguez sticks out.

“His key and diagnose right now for a young guy is pretty good,” Campbell said before the first padded practice. “As you see the competition in that room and you just watch — here he is, let’s just give him a rep. (Lions LB coach Kelvin Sheppard) has done a good job with that. Now there’s already a conversation about ‘let’s push him up to the next group a little bit and give him some more reps.”

The Lions open their preseason next Friday (Aug. 12) with Atlanta at home in Detroit. The bet here is you will see a lot of Malcolm Rodriguez and the game will be televised live on NFL Network.

Another former Cowboy that may be surprising people is running back Jaylen Warren. Warren is an undrafted free agent in the Steelers camp. He looked good over the summer and that has continued as Pittsburgh did put a running back on injured reserve on Wednesday and signed former Ohio State running back Master Teague. 

Right now with a rash of injuries at the position, Warren is taking advantage of the reps.

Caitlyn Epes - Pittsburgh Steelers

Warren shown in minicamp with the Steelers.

“He has an appetite for the competition,” Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said. “That’s a good thing. He’s learning and learning fast. I think the most significant thing that has captured my attention is that he seems really comfortable in these waters from a competition standpoint.”

Warren got a chance to talk to the media and was all smiles about how he is doing and the feedback he is getting.

"[They said] they like what they're seeing," Warren said. "They tell me just don't do anything to mess it up. I have a really thin line coming in as an undrafted rookie so I can't really make a lot of mistakes like the starters can. Just got to put my best foot forward every time."

Pittsburgh opens preseason play on Saturday Aug. 13 against the Seattle Seahawks and Warren should get a decent number of carries.