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

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

Jeremy Cash, Duke, Star linebacker/strong safety

Many evaluators consider Cash a strong safety but when you watch his tape, you’ll see he spent most of his time lined up in the linebacker position. Nearly a third of his 98 tackles came within two yards of the line of scrimmage. Cash’s strength is his tackling ability.

His coverage skills need polishing but he is more than capable of getting the job done. His SPARQ percentage is unavailable due to a late pro day. Detroit met with him twice at the combine. When I mentioned it to USA Today Draft Wire writer Jon Ledyard, he responded:

Cash’s versatility is different than Lee’s in that Cash can drop back into the strong safety role if Detroit wanted to use him in a sub package. His skill set and positional flexibility make him an attractive choice at pick 46 in round two.

Next: Su’a Cravens

Su’a Cravens, USC, Strong Safety

Cravens like Cash is listed as a strong safety but spent most of his time around the line of scrimmage. Cravens isn’t quite the athlete that Cash is but he specializes in blitzing. Cravens will get dinged for an average 40 time, slightly below average explosion numbers and a SPARQ percentage of 27%, but he wins with his quickness and agility, and the metrics back that up (3-cone and short shuttle).

Cravens is the type of player who I think could out perform his metrics. Sports Illustrated’s Doug Farrar interviewed Cravens and they broke down the art of safety blitzes.

Like Cash, Cravens would require a second round pick to get him on the Lions roster. It shouldn’t be overlooked that he is the player most evaluators compare to Deone Bucannon. Cravens met with Detroit at the combine, USC pro day, and is rumored to be visiting Lions headquarters in Allen Park soon.

If he’s there at 46, I think Quinn is considering him as a real option.

Next: Miles Killebrew

Miles Killebrew, Southern Utah, strong safety

Like Cravens, Killebrew gets the Bucannon comparison, but unlike Cravens, the Lions have yet to meet with him. From a film standpoint, this is the first player on the list who didn’t spend most of his time in the box.

Killebrew played exclusively at strong safety, yet is considered by many as a natural money backer. This is because he tackles like a linebacker and his metrics are closer to Bucannon’s than anyone else in this draft class. He matches or beats Bucannon’s scores in every category except for the 10-yard split. His SPARQ percentage is 68.9%.

It’s rumored that Cleveland is considering him as a Mike linebacker because they sent their linebacker coach to his pro day for an exclusive workout. Being a small school prospect it’s tough to gauge Killebrew’s draft stock. I’ve seen some evaluators rank him as a second rounder but most think he’s a third or fourth round guy.

Next: Jatavis Brown

Jatavis Brown, Akron, Linebacker

Brown is the only player on this list that was not invited to the combine. Although, on most combine snubs lists, his was the first name listed. Like Killebrew, Brown out produces Bucannon in every category except one.

For Brown, he comes up short in his 3-cone drill, which test his change of direction skills. Brown truly shines is in his explosion scores, where he is only one of three players in this draft class to score over an 80. His SPARQ percentage is an appealing 84.9%.

Like Darron Lee, Brown is a linebacker only, but he is versatile to play all three spots. Coming from a small school it may take Brown some time to adjust to the game at an NFL level. If Detroit drafts him, he could ease his way through the learning process by being utilized as a 43 money linebacker only, which would expect him to be on the field 25-30% of the time.

Because of this limited expectations, Brown will be a candidate to be selected in the fourth or fifth round.

Next: Kavon Frazier

Kavon Frazier, Central Michigan, Free Safety

Frazier played out of position at CMU, roaming deep in the secondary. Frazier was used as a last line of defense in the Chippewa’s system and it’s resulted in him flying under the radar in this draft class.

Jeff Risdon backs up what I saw on tape, Frazier fits perfectly in the mold of a money linebacker. Like Killebrew and Brown, he fits the Bucannon metric very well, just missing in the 10-yard split and short shuttle. His explosion numbers are great highlighted by a 40.5” vertical jump. His SPARQ percentage is 76.3%, very high for an underrated player.

On tape, he shows all the skills you’d want in a developing money linebacker. He plays downhill, he attacks the ball, and he can deliver pad popping tackles. He has good instincts and awareness when tracking the ball or player in coverage.

Frazier still has some developing to do but he has as much potential as any other player on this list. Like Brown if the Lions draft him, he will be used in a limited role early in his career with the potential to develop into a starter down the road. This need for team patience will likely have teams considering drafting him in the fifth or sixth rounds. The Lions attended his pro day and he seems firmly on their radar.

If you’d like to know more about the players I’ve identified as potential fits for the Detroit Lions, check out the following links:

Next: Lions Draft 2016: Defensive Back Metrics

Next: Lions Draft 2016: Wide Receiver Metrics

Next: Lions Draft 2016: Running Back targets