Twitter reaction to Commanders’ hard-runner Rodriguez at No. 193
The Washington Commanders drafted a running back with the 193rd selection overall in the 6th round.
With the Commanders losing the services of J.D. McKissic in 2021 and 2022 due to injuries, the Commanders brass drafted running back Chris Rodriquez, Jr. (Kentucky).
Antonio Gibson will also be entering the last year of his rookie contract, while Jonathan Williams is age 28. Both of those factors apparently led the Commanders to select a running back in this draft to ensure some more roster depth and insurance.
As for Rodriguez, he is a hard-nosed runner with plenty of experience, having started in the Southeastern Conference for the Wildcats.
The pick not coming until 193, there of course is not the buzz that an earlier pick would bring. Yet, there was some reaction worth noting on Twitter.
Rodriguez lost his mother in January
Newly drafted Commanders RB Chris Rodriguez Jr. posted this on IG today. He lost his mother in January after a battle with Lupus. pic.twitter.com/30xxjkI4JU
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) April 29, 2023
3rd round grade? Couldn't pass it up
The Commanders had a 3rd-round grade on RB Chris Rodriguez Jr., per sources.
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) April 29, 2023
Rodriguez is a physical runner
Chris Rodriguez Jr plays with a violence to his game that Washington will love.
Rivera is all about competition — he provides that behind Robinson/Gibson.
— Ryan Fowler (@_RyanFowler_) April 29, 2023
Why the Commanders drafted Rodriguez
I like drafting guys who should have gone earlier or could have if not for something going wrong. I think Chris Rodriguez fits that bill for the #Commanders.
If not for his DUI arrest, no chance he's available where they just got him. PFF's highest-graded SEC RB this year.
— Grant Paulsen (@granthpaulsen) April 29, 2023
Comparison to Chiefs RB Isiah Pacheco
Chris Rodriguez just got drafted by the Commanders. He reminds me of Pacheco. Good move by Bieniemy to target him pic.twitter.com/f4KCWxSBhM
— Billy M (@BillyM_91) April 29, 2023
Honest concern to be raised
Commanders 6th round pick: RB Chris Rodriguez Jr. – Kentucky
Kind of surprised here with some of the off-field stuff
— Mark Tyler(Hogs Haven) (@Tiller56) April 29, 2023
Networking? Connections?
Chris Rodriguez has history with some of the current players. Was with Jamin Davis at Kentucky, and is from the same hometown as Antonio Gibson. Said he looked up to AG and tracked him throughout his career.
— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) April 29, 2023
Who was the mystery Commanders caller?
Chris Rodriguez Jr. *thinks* Eric Bieniemy was the guy who called him to tell him the Commanders were drafting him but "everything blanked out" in the moment so he can't say for sure
— Pete Hailey (@PeteHaileyNBCS) April 29, 2023
Settle was with the Falcons 1987-90, perhaps in Washington training camp too?
New #Commanders RB Chris Rodriguez Jr’s position coach at Kentucky was John Settle.
Settle was teammates with Martin Mayhew on Washington’s Super Bowl XXVI team and he also served as RB coach for the Panthers early in Rivera’s HC tenure #HTTC
— T M (@reshmanuel) April 29, 2023
Coaches love to hear this!
New #Commanders RB Chris Rodriguez was a teammate of Jamin Davis at Kentucky….when asked about him, he told reporters in part "Jamin! My boy!"
Says he wants to play ST's. Not taking a rep/day off.
— Chris Russell AKA the 🐓🐓! (@Russellmania621) April 29, 2023
Certainly worth noting
Highest graded SEC Running Back last season:
🔹 Chris Rodriguez Jr: 90.8 pic.twitter.com/4VWLoN1rRW
— PFF College (@PFF_College) April 4, 2023
Official scouting report on Rodriguez
Highest graded SEC Running Back last season:
🔹 Chris Rodriguez Jr: 90.8 pic.twitter.com/4VWLoN1rRW
— PFF College (@PFF_College) April 4, 2023
