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Detroit Lions Draft 2016: Adding a ‘Money Linebacker’

By Erik Schlitt

Dec 27, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals strong safety Deone Bucannon (20) sacks and strips the ball from Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) during the second half at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 27, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals strong safety Deone Bucannon (20) sacks and strips the ball from Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) during the second half at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 10, 2015; Columbus, OH, USA; Maryland Terrapins player Ty Johnson (6) runs by Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Darron Lee (43) during the first half at Ohio Stadium. Ohio State won the game 49-28. Mandatory Credit: Joe Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 10, 2015; Columbus, OH, USA; Maryland Terrapins player Ty Johnson (6) runs by Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Darron Lee (43) during the first half at Ohio Stadium. Ohio State won the game 49-28. Mandatory Credit: Joe Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports /

Who are the draft options to fill role for Detroit?

Darron Lee, Ohio State, outside linebacker

The top option in this draft class as a money linebacker is Darron Lee. Lee fits the mold of the new breed of NFL linebacker. His SPARQ percentage is 92.3%, meaning that he is in more athletic than 92.3% of all NFL linebackers.

His skill set has NFL draft evaluators talking about him being a first round pick and has even been mocked to Detroit in recent mock drafts. It’s also worth noting that Detroit has met with him at the NFL combine and at Ohio State’s pro day.

If Darron Lee was drafted in the first round (like Bucannon, Barron and Davis), the expectation would be that he doesn’t leave the field. This is the major concern I have in drafting him with pick 16. If Detroit is in sub packages 70-75% of the time, and Levy and Whitehead are your starters, is Lee only playing 25% of the plays? That’s not what your expectations are of a first round pick.

The advantage of taking him at 16 is you have a quality starter is Levy isn’t fully recovered from his injury. In addition, it protects the linebacking depth other injuries occur. Finally, if you’ve been paying attention to Levy’s CTE stance, Quinn may be speculating if Levy is another player who could retire earlier than expected.

Next: Jeremy Cash

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