Detroit Lions Draft 2016: Adding a ‘Money Linebacker’

NFL teams are constantly evolving. The latest trend on defense is the emergence of the Money Linebacker.

On offense teams are lining up in more three wide receiver sets and trying to find ways mismatches for their skill players. The Lions do this with Theo Riddick and Golden Tate by getting them the ball quickly in space. To counter this situation, defenses put more speed on the field, lining up in sub-packages like nickel and dime more often.

Detroit Lions General Manager Bob Quinn has said that he expects the Lions defense to line up in “sub or nickel defense 70-75% of the time”. For this to work, defensive coordinator Teryl Austin will need more defensive speed than he had in 2015. Last year teams recognized the lack of speed in the middle of the Lions defense and exploited it.

Quinn has made steps to add speed to Austin’s defense. He informed Stephen Tulloch that he will not be a part of plans in 2016, and allowed James Ihedigbo to leave in free agency. While Isa Abdul-Quddus left for the Dolphins, Quinn brought back Tahir Whitehead to add speed to the middle linebacker position (Mike). The Lions secondary is still a work in progress but the Linebacking group looks close to being completed.

So, what does Detroit’s Linebacker group currently look like?

All-Pro DeAndre Levy is Detroit’s “Will” (weak side) linebacker. He missed almost all of 2015 with injury but appears to be on track to be ready for the 2016 season. He is a three down linebacker and in theory should never leave the field.

Tahir Whitehead was resigned to be the Lions 2016 starting “Mike” (middle) linebacker. His experience at both Mike and Sam (strong side) linebacker makes him a valuable piece in on defense. Like Levy, he should be on the field in most situations.

After starters Levy and Whitehead, the Lions have several capable backups but no clear third starter. Josh Bynes can back up all three positions but hasn’t shown the consistency to be a full-time starter. Former second rounder, Kyle Van Noy is still learning how to cover and at this point seems to be a pass rushing specialist. Brandon Copeland has also shown the ability to rush the passer but his primary value is on special teams. Kahseem Greene and Jerry Franklin are practice squad level players right now and would need a good camp to find their way onto the 53-man roster.

What’s missing from this group?

With Detroit planning on lining up in sub packages 70-75% of the time, the Lions are in good shape with Levy and Whitehead fulfilling the open linebacking spots. When they want to run a more traditional 43 scheme, it’s unclear who would be on the field as the third linebacker (Sam). This is also true if the Lions want to run the increasingly popular Big Nickel formation that puts three safeties on the field lining one of them up at a linebacker spot.

So, in order to run the full complement of schemes, the Lions would need to add a starting caliber linebacker to play the Sam position and a third safety that can play in the box. With limited roster spots this will be difficult to accomplish, but if you could fill both spots with one player then you’ve increased the versatility of the defense.

The “Money” Linebacker

The money linebacker is a recently popular position in the NFL. The money linebacker is an athlete who is smaller than most traditional linebackers, usually closer in size to a strong safety. His most developed trait is his ability to tackle, yet still maintains the range of a safety. He is a capable blitzer, is constantly chasing the ball and is physical at the point of attack. The money linebacker usually stays on the at all times, changing positions to fit the defensive scheme. His primary usage is near the line of scrimmage where you want your top athletes.

Recently the Arizona Cardinals turned former Washington State strong safety Deone Bucannon into an effective money linebacker taking the place of their traditional Sam linebacker spot. Bucannon was very effective at this position and went on the lead the Cardinals in tackles (112) in 2015.

The St. Louis Rams did something similar with Mark Barron, but they utilized him as a Will linebacker. Although, this is closer to how the Carolina Panthers use Thomas Davis than to Bucannon. Bruce Irvin is another similar player but he is used more as a pass rushing specialist.

The money backer position is a popular position in the college game where teams want their athletes close to the ball. Michigan is implementing a new defensive scheme that features Jabril Peppers at the money linebacker position (although they call it the traditional Sam). Michigan State uses Ed Davis and Jon Reschke as money linebackers, and Ohio State used Darron Lee there as well.

So who can the Lions add in the 2016 draft to fill this role? Check out the six players I’ve identified on the next page.

Next: Darron Lee