The five player additions that will define the Detroit Lions season

Christian Jones

Jones is a player that was brought in specifically to lose his job by the end of his contract. In Chicago, he was one of the best off the ball linebacker backups in the NFL. The Bears have had a plethora of problems with their linebacker corp over the last couple seasons. Suspensions, injuries and whatnot have kept them from keeping their starters on the field.

Jones has been brought in to start for the Lions, but he is rarely included on lists like this. Most seem to think that Jalen Reeves-Maybin is the future of the team at weakside linebacker, but he was not ready at the end of his rookie season. In coverage, JRM looked passable. Against the run he was exploitable. Jones is already the player that the Lions hope JRM will become.

Jones is solid in coverage and passable against the run. He represents a step up in competence in all aspects of the game from JRM. Essentially he serves as a buffer to keep JRM from getting on the field before his play merits snaps.

Jones also provides insurance against Jarrad Davis not being up to the MLB role. As a rookie, Davis looked lost at times. Particularly in coverage, but the end of the year Davis had lost many of his nickel snaps. Not all high draft picks ever pan out. A smart general manager plans for the event that their draft picks don’t pan out.

Jones has been the man with the green dot on his helmet at times. He can take on either of the Lions primary off the ball linebacker roles. He will almost definitely play both of them at points during the season. The Lions need him to pick up the new defense immediately.