Breaking: one day after being waived Former Lions LB Signs in a mega star…
Ben Standig of The Athletic predicted that following a trade out of the first round in the 2024 NFL draft, head coach Dan Campbell and the Detroit Lions would select Chris Braswell of Alabama.
Rookie linebacker Steele Chambers left the Detroit Lions after a brief stay in order to proceed to his next NFL destination.
The former Ohio State linebacker was signed by the Lions immediately after the NFL Draft, however his time with the team was short-lived as on June 10 the team announced that he had been released to make place for veteran linebacker Ben Niemann to sign.
Detroit.
NFL Network source Tom Pelissero revealed on Tuesday that Chambers was claimed off waivers by the New England Patriots, meaning he never got to experience free agency.
Former College Star’s Brief Stay
Despite not being selected, Chambers arrived in Detroit with somewhat elevated anticipations. In 13 games last season, he led the Buckeyes with 83 total tackles, capping a collegiate career that began as a running back before switching to linebacker.
Weeks before the start of training camp, Colton Pouncy of The Athletic ranked Chambers as the undrafted free agent most likely to make Detroit’s final roster. However, Chambers was ultimately dismissed.
NESN writer Greg Dudek said that although though Chambers is anticipated to start low on the depth chart in New England, he might have a chance to reach the final roster if he demonstrates versatility in another area of the game.
Although Chambers won’t likely make the New England roster this summer, Dudek stated that he may have a better opportunity to earn a spot on the field, even if it is on the practice squad. The 23-year-old may be able to contribute on special teams and provide depth at linebacker due to his athleticism and quickness.
Deep at Linebacker for Lions
The Lions have six linebackers under contract going into the offseason, including 2023 first-round pick Jack Campbell. In addition, the club features established players Derrick Barnes, Malcolm Rodriguez, Jalen Reeves-Maybin, and Alex Anzalone, who are all anticipated to return to significant roles by 2024.
To complete the group, the Lions also added a highly regarded position coach, as observed in March by Benjamin Raven of MLive.com.
The fact that rising defensive assistant Kelvin Sheppard is in charge of this stacked room is the “cherry on top,” Raven wrote. “The linebacker coach should be commended greatly for his efforts with Barnes and Co., as well as for getting Anzalone to perform at his very best.”
With Niemann, who played in seven games for the Denver Broncos in the previous season, the Lions also added some depth and experience on special teams. Niemann has six NFL seasons of experience, with a focus on special teams, as Justin Rogers of the Detroit News pointed out.
The 6-foot-2, 235-pound player has participated in 86 games over his career, starting 21 of them, according to Rogers. At every stop, he has also been a vital member of the special teams, averaging 230 snaps a season with them.
If Niemann does not make the final roster, he may be considered for Detroit’s practice squad. Niemann spent a portion of the previous season on the Denver practice squad.
With injuries plaguing the secondary and the defensive line struggling to provide a reliable pass rush outside of Aidan Hutchinson, the linebacking corps provided steadiness for a rebuilding Lions defense.
