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Instant grade for Detroit Lions 6th-rounder Malcolm Rodriguez: Elite athlete, tackler

Free Press sports writer Carlos Monarrez gives his grade for the Detroit Lions' sixth-round NFL draft pick on Saturday afternoon:

Oklahoma State LB Malcolm Rodriguez

Grade: B

Rodriguez gets a little boost for not arriving with a serious injury history. He’s a converted safety, and at 5 feet 11 and 225 pounds, he’s a bit small for the position. But he’s a good tackler and was productive for the Cowboys with 408 career tackles. He was an All-Big 12 player last year, finished sixth in the FBS with 129 tackles and was the Fiesta Bowl defensive MVP in a win over Notre Dame.