Chris Rodriguez Jr. NFL Draft Scouting Report

RB, Kentucky Wildcats

Chris Rodriguez Jr. is the starting running back for the Kentucky Wildcats. Prior to the 2021 season, Rodriguez’s impact was solid but growing in a backup role. In 2021, he became the unquestioned starting running back. He delivered a 1,377-yard rushing season and he was named to the All-SEC second team. Rodriguez became the driving force to the Wildcats’ downhill run-heavy offensive system. This season, he missed the first four games of the season due to a suspension. Yet, he was able to eclipse 900 yards rushing and six touchdowns. He is one of the leaders and team captains for the Wildcats for the last two seasons. 

When projecting Rodriguez to the NFL, he fits the bill as an early-down and short-yardage/red-zone back. He is a physical, downhill runner that is difficult to bring down with the first defender. He thrives on gaining yards after contact—669 of his 904 yards came after contact this season. He plays with good vision and patience, allowing his blocks to set up. Rodriguez offers value as a scheme versatile runner, to an extent. He has experience running in both zone and gap-blocking schemes. I do believe that his skill set best fits a power/gap scheme allowing him to get downhill with momentum. He will bring a brawler’s mentality to his team’s rushing attack. He runs with an attitude and physicality that is difficult to prepare for.  

Rodriguez’s game is predicated on physicality but lacks the explosiveness to generate chunk plays. He does not offer much elusiveness or creativity in the open field to force missed tackles and keep plays alive. If running lanes are clogged, he does not have the explosive agility to perform lateral cuts and exchange gaps. One of the bigger questions about his game translating to the NFL is whether Rodriguez has a three-down skill set. He has not produced much as a pass-catching option for the Wildcats’ offense. This limits his overall ceiling and playability at the next level. 

Rodriguez was a consensus three-star recruit that played both running back and safety in high school. This helps explain his physical style of play. Granted, we have seen running backs develop into functional pass-catchers in the league, so, hope is not lost. He will not be a well-rounded or established route-running but dump-offs and screens are more than a realistic ask for Rodriguez. Overall, he is a tough back that can wear down defenses. It would be best to pair him with a more dynamic back to help change the pace.  

Top Reasons to Buy In:

• Physical and difficult to bring down
• Nose for the endzone; 32 touchdowns in his career
• Productive 

Top Reasons For Concern:

• Not a creative or elusive runner
• Less than stellar athlete
• A two-down player

Size (NFL Combine):

Height: 6′ 0”

Weight: 217 lbs

Arm Length: 30 5/8”

Hand Size: 8 5/8”

Athletic Testing (NFL Combine):

40-yard Dash: TBD

Vertical Jump: TBD

Broad Jump: TBD

Short-Shuttle: TBD

Three-Cone: TBD

Bench Reps: 19 reps

Ideal Role: Rotational running back

Scheme Fit: Scheme versatile, gap or zone blocking 

Prospect Comparison: Tyler Allgeier (2022 NFL Draft)

TDN Consensus Grade: 70.00/100 (Fifth-Round Value)

• Parson Grade: 70.00/100

Written By: Damian Parson

Exposures: Mississippi St. (2022), Georgia (2022), Missouri (2022), Tennessee (2022)

Chris Rodriguez Jr. NFL Draft Scouting Report. Add him to your big board here.