Malcolm Rodriguez Fantasy Overview

The Lions are bringing LB Alex Anzalone back on a three-year, $18.75 million deal, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. That's particularly noteworthy money for Anzalone, who played each of the past two seasons for Detroit on one-year pacts. He got just $1.75 million in 2021 and then $2.5 million last year. But Anzalone increased his playing time each season vs. what he got across four seasons in New Orleans. That included playing 95.1% of the snaps across 17 games last year. Anzalone also saw boosts in his Pro Football Focus grading across categories and cracked the top 30 LBs in fantasy points. Expect him to remain the Lions' best bet for full playing time at the position, heading into his age-29 season. There's still room for 2022 rookie Malcolm Rodriguez to grow his role, though, vs. where Rodriguez finished the season.

Lions S DeShon Elliott (concussion) and LB Malcolm Rodriguez (elbow) are active for today's game against the Giants. Rodriguez put in full practices all week but still entered the day questionable, indicating that his elbow is not all the way back. He missed last week's game with the injury after playing just 26% in the game where he hurt it (but returned). Rodriguez looks too risky for most IDP lineups. Elliott should be OK to use at normal levels.