It looked like a deep, talented group a season ago.
Stephen Tulloch was ahead of schedule coming off a torn ACL. DeAndre Levy was an emerging star as an outside linebacker. Josh Bynes and Tahir Whitehead had shown promise replacing Tulloch in the starting lineup in 2014.
The Detroit Lions also had a second-round pick with potential, Kyle Van Noy, and others who could fill in on special teams.
Now? The linebacker picture for the Lions is anything but clear.
Such is life in the NFL, a league where age comes quick, drop-off for players can come fast and injuries can throw a position into flux.