After third-round pick Jonah Jackson, who has started every game at offensive guard, the Detroit Lions’ best rookie the first quarter of the season might be defensive tackle John Penisini.
A sixth-round selection out of Utah, Penisini has played a small but increasing role on defense the first four games and has outshone fellow defensive draft picks Jeff Okudah and Julian Okwara.
“He has done a nice job for us,” defensive coordinator Cory Undlin said Monday. “I think just like any rookie coming in no matter what position you play, it takes a little bit of time to get into the scheme and he, what he has done is just put his head down and keep working.