Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
The Detroit Lions have two outstanding starting linebackers, with Stephen Tulloch manning the middle linebacker position and DeAndre Levy as one of the outside linebackers. With that said, there is an open competition for the other outside linebacker position, likely on the weak-side. Tahir Whitehead, Kyle Van Noy and Josh Bynes are all vying for the open spot.
Each player brings a different dynamic to the team, but all have the potential to be a solid starter for Detroit’s defense. The defense has lost several key players from 2014, including Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley. Ashlee Palmer, who saw significant playing time last year at outside linebacker, is also gone. It is up to one of these three aforementioned players to step up and play well for Detroit.
Although the team reportedly sees him more fit on the outside, Whitehead was forced into the middle linebacker role after Tulloch was injured in 2014 and played very well. He recorded 86 total tackles, five pass deflections and two interceptions in 15 starts. He played 14 games as a rookie in 2012 and has played in all 16 games in each of the past two seasons. Now entering his fourth season out of Temple, he has an opportunity to earn the starting nod because of his play, not because of an injury to a teammate.
Van Noy is perhaps the most interesting candidate. He is entering his second season out of BYU, but missed eight games as a rookie due to a core muscle injury. He only recorded six combined tackles last season. Whether he earns the starting job or not, it is expected for Van Noy to shoulder a much bigger load in 2015. He has been working at both the SAM (strong-side) and the WILL (weak-side) positions during OTAs. He is much more motivated this year and will compete to be a starter.
Bynes is entering his fifth season in the NFL, and second with the Lions. He played in 13 games last season but did not start one, posting 22 total tackles and one interception. NFL.com projected the former Auburn Tiger as the early starter at one of the outside linebacker positions. Bynes does have some starting experience, as he started nine games for the Baltimore Ravens from 2012 to 2014. The Lions re-signed Bynes to a two-year deal in the offseason, so management wants him around.
Whomever the coaching staff decides to put in should be a reliable option. It is possible Detroit rotates all three players at the position consistently, though it is not likely. Van Noy has the most potential of the three, but he’s also the most green. Whitehead has the most in-game and starting experience, and Bynes has big-game experience as he was part of Baltimore’s 2012 Super Bowl-winning team.
It’s hard to say what will happen. Personally, I think Whitehead earns the starting nod. He proved he can be a contributor on defense last year and could be even more effective at his natural position. I see Van Noy getting on the field in certain sub packages and making some waves. Bynes is likely better suited as a backup, but he will see some playing time in certain packages as well. It should be an entertaining process to see how it all shakes out.
