Miles Killebrew appears to be on his last legs with the Detroit Lions
By Ash Thompson
When a player who has had success in the league tries out a different position for the Detroit Lions it is because he has versatility. Miles Killebrew has no track record of success, this may be his last shot.
Reading the tea leaves at Detroit Lions training camp, things are not going well for Miles Killebrew. The first depth chart was released yesterday. It is relatively meaningless, as is proven by the fact that Miles Killebrew is listed as the second-string free safety, a position he will never play under any circumstances.
There are reports now from the team that Killebrew is working out with the linebackers. This is not a good thing for Killebrew in the traditional sense of that word. Quandre Diggs and Tavon Wilson are legitimately ahead of Killebrew for playing time. The Lions drafted Tracy Walker in the third round, so he will be on the team. Miles Killebrew is not going to make the team as a safety.
Charles Washington is a more useful player than Killebrew in a traditional safety role. Washington has also been special teams standouts for the Lions during his time with the club. If the Lions keep a fifth safety, it will likely be Washington, or Rolan Milligan, who spent 2017 on the team’s practice squad.
When Killebrew was drafted, it was as a box only safety who might need to bulk up and move to linebacker to stay in the NFL. The Lions only have four or five functional off the ball linebackers, so there is a spot to be had if Killebrew responds to the transition. It is a good thing for Killebrew in that sense. He is being given the opportunity to prove his worth elsewhere
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It speaks well of Killebrew as a person that the Lions are willing to give him this opportunity. He has not turned into Kam Chancellor, but there is still a chance he can salvage a career the same way Mark Barron did. Lions fans should be hoping that Killebrew does not have to change teams to do it as Barron did. This is probably the most interesting thing happening in Lions practice this week.