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Detroit Lions: 10 Players Who Could Be Gone in 2017

By Zac Snyder

Oct 16, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; A general view of Ford Field during the game between the Detroit Lions and the Los Angeles Rams. Detroit won 31-28. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 16, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; A general view of Ford Field during the game between the Detroit Lions and the Los Angeles Rams. Detroit won 31-28. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 24, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions outside linebacker Brandon Copeland (51) and Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph (82) compete during the game on Thanksgiving at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 24, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions outside linebacker Brandon Copeland (51) and Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph (82) compete during the game on Thanksgiving at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports /

Brandon Copeland

He was a linebacker, then a defensive end, then a linebacker again. Brandon Copeland has worked hard to try to carve out a role for himself but it hasn’t worked out. In a season in which the Lions could use a pass rush and help at linebacker due to injury, Copeland hasn’t had an impact in either spot.

That’s not all on him as switching positions is never easy, especially when a move isn’t made once and for all. Kerry Hyder’s emergence at defensive end pushed Copeland down the depth chart and made the move back to linebacker logical when the injury bug hit the linebacking corps.

Copeland played a season-high 34 snaps in week two but hasn’t played more than 18 since and has hit double digits just two other times.

Copeland is not signed beyond this season. While he could be retained for the offseason program and into training camp, it’s not hard to envision a scenario in which what the Lions do in the draft and free agency squeezes Copeland out.

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