Detroit Lions: What will Devon Kennard bring to the Motor City?

As the the Detroit Lions biggest free agent acquisition this offseason, can veteran linebacker Devon Kennard reach his full potential in the Motor City?

The Detroit Lions just needed linebackers this offseason. Not only to replace free agents like Tahir Whitehead and Paul Worrilow, but because new head coach Matt Patricia is expected to install a new, more dynamic defensive scheme that will require the roster to adjust to a 3-4 formation. That means potentially having as many as four linebackers on the field at the same time.

So the Lions went about the task of finding linebackers to add to their roster via free agency. And they did just that by signing veterans like Jonathan Freeny, Trevor Bates, Christian Jones and re-signing Nick Bellore. Although the latter has now been converted to a fullback.

But their biggest free agent landing of the offseason has to be former New York Giants’ linebacker Devon Kennard.

Injuries derailed what should have been a solid career for Kennard in the Big Apple. Specifically, he spent back-to-back seasons dealing with hamstring injuries that forced him to miss a total of 11 games during his first two years in New York. Fortunately, a change in his offseason training routine allowed Kennard to be on the field for all but one game the past two seasons.

Last season, Kennard recorded 41 total tackles and posted a career-high 4.0 sacks starting in 11 games for the Giants. Considered an ascending player who has yet to reach his full potential, the Lions felt comfortable inking the 27-year old to a three-year, $18.75 million contract in March.

"“[Kennard is] a chess piece that will be moving around quite a bit. I think you should be prepared to see him line up on the line of scrimmage often, both as a rusher and a decoy who will drop back,” wrote Justin Rogers for the Detroit News. “He’s near the top of my list of players I’m looking forward to seeing when the pads come on next month.”"

Kennard figures to be an instant starter for the Detroit Lions this upcoming season. And his ability as a pass rusher adds a wrinkle to his game which should allow Patricia to use the veteran linebacker in many different ways across many different looks.

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Devon Kennard has always been a player full of potential. In Detroit, the Lions will give him plenty of opportunities to shine and become the player he showed flashed of being in New York. Kennard should pair well with a solid linebacker corps in the Motor City that already features up-and-coming players like Jarrad Davis and Jalen Reeves-Maybin.