Allen Park — If there was an obvious theme to the Detroit Lions’ offseason approach to changing defensive schemes, it was getting bigger at linebacker.
The team made little effort to re-sign Tahir Whitehead, instead moving quickly to add Devon Kennard and Christian Jones in the early stages of free agency. Kennard is 6-foot-4 and 256 pounds, while Jones checks in at 6-3, 243 pounds.
In the ensuing weeks, Detroit also signed Jonathan Freeny and Trevor Bates, a pair of linebackers listed at 6-2 and weighing 245 and 247 pounds, respectively.
It begged the question, what did the shift in desired traits mean for Jalen Reeves-Maybin, last year’s fourth-round draft pick?