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As OTAs begin, there will be plenty of storylines to follow for the Detroit Lions. Fans will naturally focus on the rookie class, players returning from injuries, and newly signed free agents, but one of the most important things to watch will be the position battles taking place across the roster. Every NFL team enters training camp with unanswered questions, and this year the Lions are no different.
One battle that stands out more than the rest is at outside linebacker. Detroit has several players who could emerge with the starting job, and with the departure of veteran linebacker Alex Anzalone, the competition becomes even more important. While none of the candidates are household names yet, each player brings something different to the table and has a legitimate opportunity to carve out a role in Kelvin Sheppard’s defense.
Malcolm Rodriguez
Rodriguez appeared in just seven games last season while continuing to recover from the ACL injury he suffered the year before. Originally selected with the 188th pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, Rodriguez has become a solid depth piece and occasional starter for Detroit’s defense.
Throughout his career, Rodriguez has appeared in 50 games with 25 starts. His overall numbers will not jump off the page, but he has consistently found ways to contribute. He has recorded three pass deflections, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and three sacks during his time with Detroit.
The 2024 season was arguably the best football Rodriguez has played as a pro. He finished with a 74.4 overall defensive grade from PFF, along with an impressive 87.1 run-defense grade and a respectable 65.9 coverage grade. He also added two sacks and three total pressures while playing 318 snaps.
Rodriguez may not have elite athletic traits, but he plays with toughness, discipline, and physicality qualities that fit perfectly within Dan Campbell’s culture. With relatively limited competition at the position, Rodriguez has a realistic chance to earn the starting role entering the season.
Trevor Nowaske
Nowaske has quietly been part of Detroit’s roster since 2023 and profiles similarly to Rodriguez in several ways. He has not seen extensive playing time, and his statistics remain modest, but he has shown flashes of being able to impact games when given opportunities.
Over three seasons, Nowaske has appeared in 31 games while making just two starts. His career totals include one interception, one fumble recovery, three sacks, six quarterback hits, and four tackles for loss.
His best season came in 2025, although it was in a limited sample size of just 74 snaps. During that stretch, he posted a 64.9 overall PFF grade, a 57.1 pass-rush grade, and a 68.2 run-defense grade. While the numbers are not overwhelming, the Lions coaching staff values effort, versatility, and special teams production, all areas where Nowaske has contributed.
Out of the three linebackers competing for the role, Nowaske may have the toughest road to securing the starting job, but his familiarity with the system could work in his favor during OTAs and training camp.
Jimmy Rolder
The Lions also added rookie linebacker Jimmy Rolder, a fourth-round pick out of the University of Michigan, and he could quickly push for playing time if he adapts well to the NFL level.
Rolder posted a 74.8 overall defensive grade during the 2025 college season. He also earned an 80.1 run-defense grade, showcasing his ability to play downhill and make stops against the run. In coverage, he recorded a 65.4 grade while allowing an 80.0 passer rating when targeted. As a blitzer, he generated 13 total pressures and two sacks.
He finished the season with 57 solo tackles and was charged with only four missed tackles all year, highlighting his reliability as a tackler. While rookie linebackers often face a steep learning curve, Rolder’s physical style and versatility could allow him to compete for snaps immediately.
Overall
This position battle will be one of the more intriguing storylines to monitor throughout OTAs and training camp. None of these linebackers are flashy or nationally recognized players, but each brings grit, effort, and determination to the field.
Perhaps the biggest factor in the competition is defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard himself. As a former NFL linebacker, Sheppard understands exactly what it takes to succeed at the position, and there may not be a better coach on Detroit’s staff to develop this group.
No matter who ends up wins the starting job, the competition should bring out the best in all three players, and that could end up benefiting the Lions defense as a whole heading into the 2026 season.
Continue reading...
One battle that stands out more than the rest is at outside linebacker. Detroit has several players who could emerge with the starting job, and with the departure of veteran linebacker Alex Anzalone, the competition becomes even more important. While none of the candidates are household names yet, each player brings something different to the table and has a legitimate opportunity to carve out a role in Kelvin Sheppard’s defense.
Malcolm Rodriguez
Rodriguez appeared in just seven games last season while continuing to recover from the ACL injury he suffered the year before. Originally selected with the 188th pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, Rodriguez has become a solid depth piece and occasional starter for Detroit’s defense.
Throughout his career, Rodriguez has appeared in 50 games with 25 starts. His overall numbers will not jump off the page, but he has consistently found ways to contribute. He has recorded three pass deflections, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and three sacks during his time with Detroit.
The 2024 season was arguably the best football Rodriguez has played as a pro. He finished with a 74.4 overall defensive grade from PFF, along with an impressive 87.1 run-defense grade and a respectable 65.9 coverage grade. He also added two sacks and three total pressures while playing 318 snaps.
Rodriguez may not have elite athletic traits, but he plays with toughness, discipline, and physicality qualities that fit perfectly within Dan Campbell’s culture. With relatively limited competition at the position, Rodriguez has a realistic chance to earn the starting role entering the season.
Trevor Nowaske
Nowaske has quietly been part of Detroit’s roster since 2023 and profiles similarly to Rodriguez in several ways. He has not seen extensive playing time, and his statistics remain modest, but he has shown flashes of being able to impact games when given opportunities.
Over three seasons, Nowaske has appeared in 31 games while making just two starts. His career totals include one interception, one fumble recovery, three sacks, six quarterback hits, and four tackles for loss.
His best season came in 2025, although it was in a limited sample size of just 74 snaps. During that stretch, he posted a 64.9 overall PFF grade, a 57.1 pass-rush grade, and a 68.2 run-defense grade. While the numbers are not overwhelming, the Lions coaching staff values effort, versatility, and special teams production, all areas where Nowaske has contributed.
Out of the three linebackers competing for the role, Nowaske may have the toughest road to securing the starting job, but his familiarity with the system could work in his favor during OTAs and training camp.
Jimmy Rolder
The Lions also added rookie linebacker Jimmy Rolder, a fourth-round pick out of the University of Michigan, and he could quickly push for playing time if he adapts well to the NFL level.
Rolder posted a 74.8 overall defensive grade during the 2025 college season. He also earned an 80.1 run-defense grade, showcasing his ability to play downhill and make stops against the run. In coverage, he recorded a 65.4 grade while allowing an 80.0 passer rating when targeted. As a blitzer, he generated 13 total pressures and two sacks.
He finished the season with 57 solo tackles and was charged with only four missed tackles all year, highlighting his reliability as a tackler. While rookie linebackers often face a steep learning curve, Rolder’s physical style and versatility could allow him to compete for snaps immediately.
Overall
This position battle will be one of the more intriguing storylines to monitor throughout OTAs and training camp. None of these linebackers are flashy or nationally recognized players, but each brings grit, effort, and determination to the field.
Perhaps the biggest factor in the competition is defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard himself. As a former NFL linebacker, Sheppard understands exactly what it takes to succeed at the position, and there may not be a better coach on Detroit’s staff to develop this group.
No matter who ends up wins the starting job, the competition should bring out the best in all three players, and that could end up benefiting the Lions defense as a whole heading into the 2026 season.
Continue reading...
