We continue our series of reviewing every player from the 2017 season with yet another restricted free agent: Linebacker Brandon Copeland.
Brandon Copeland
Expectations before 2017
After a standout year on special teams in 2016, Brandon Copeland was poised to get more play on defense last season. Copeland was especially valuable to the Lions because of his versatility. He could play both defensive end and linebacker, which just happened to be two the Lions’ weakest positions.
Copeland wasn’t expected to be a starter in 2017, but after playing just 135 defensive snaps the year before, many believed he was due for a much bigger role.