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Detroit Lions: Rookie Contributions a Bright Spot in 2016 Season

By Zac Snyder

Apr 28, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Taylor Decker (Ohio State) with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected by the Detroit Lions as the number sixteen overall pick in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft at Auditorium Theatre. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 28, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Taylor Decker (Ohio State) with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected by the Detroit Lions as the number sixteen overall pick in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft at Auditorium Theatre. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 23, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Washington Redskins wide receiver Jamison Crowder (80) runs after a catch against Detroit Lions strong safety Miles Killebrew (35) during the third quarter at Ford Field. Lions won 20-17. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 23, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Washington Redskins wide receiver Jamison Crowder (80) runs after a catch against Detroit Lions strong safety Miles Killebrew (35) during the third quarter at Ford Field. Lions won 20-17. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /

Miles Killebrew

Fourth round picks can be a mixed bag as to whether or not they ever pan out but the Lions found a role for Miles Killebrew despite him entering the NFL as a raw prospect. He hardly saw the field in the first three weeks but became an important player in third down packages.

"Best-case scenario: Stands out on special teams early and earns significant playing time at strong safety as the season progresses. Worst-case scenario: Doesn’t see the field on defense and is a quiet contributor on special teams."

The role Killebrew carved out for himself falls short of “significant playing time” but he often managed to have a significant impact in the snaps he did play. As a third safety/hybrid linebacker, Killebrew certainly saw the field, although his total number of snaps fell well short of Tavon Wilson and Rafael Bush at strong safety.

Did Killebrew hit his best-case scenario? Probably not, but it’s not hard to say he met expectations.

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