Detroit Lions to sign linebacker Devon Kennard to a three-year deal
By Ash Thompson
The Detroit Lions will sign linebacker Devon Kennard to a three year $18.75 million contract when free agency opens
According to Peter Schrager of the NFL network and Fox Sports, the Detroit Lions will sign linebacker Devon Kennard to a three year $18.75 million contract when free agency opens tomorrow. Kennard was a fifth-round pick in the 2014 draft and played all four years with the New York Giants. He started 35 games as an outside linebacker.
Kennard has a 71.0 player grade from pro football focus in 2017. He was ranked the number 25 4-3 outside linebacker in the Bleacher report NFL 1000. Kennard is a hybrid linebacker/edge defender. As references that Lions fans will be familiar with, Kennard is a lesser version of Anthony Barr or a greater version of Kyle Van Noy. Take your pick. He is able to rush the passer and blitz from off the ball effectively. He had four sacks in 2017. Where Kennard’s game has not been particularly great is in pass coverage.
Kennard was a defensive end, outside linebacker, and occasional middle linebacker in college at USC. That positional versatility is likely what attracts general manager Bob Quinn and head coach Matt Patricia to Kennard. Patricia’s multi-fronted defensive scheme will likely involve using Kennard as an edge rusher, and as an off the ball linebacker. He is 6’3″ 256 lbs and either blazingly fast for an edge rusher, or a bit slow for an off the ball linebacker.
Next: Lions re-sign Tavon Wilson
Unfortunately, this move likely means the impending departure of longtime Lion Tahir Whitehead. Whitehead has been hinting on Twitter that changes were coming in his life and that he was not going to “play himself” since the season ended. While he had good and bad moments on the field, Whitehead was a locker room leader and a high character player. Lions players and fans will miss his presence on game days.