Detroit Lions: Is Miles Killebrew better off at linebacker?

A safety by trade, this third-year defender has been on the hot seat. Could a position switch keep him with the Detroit Lions?

Jumping from the Southern Utah Thunderbirds (NCAA) to the Detroit Lions (NFL) is a major leap. It’s one that Miles Killebrew has been struggling with since he entered the league.

The fourth round rookie in 2016 saw the most success as a dime linebacker and was a third down playmaking king. Year two was a significant increase in snaps taking over as the third safety.

Fast forward to the present day and Killebrew is the talk of defense, but not for the right reasons. So far in camp, he’s struggled to stand out and stay consistent. To make a last stand on the roster, he’s been practicing with the linebackers.

I’m not a believer that his talents are best suited as a down-field safety. He tends to get lost in coverage and his instincts aren’t as sharp with more open field.

Better yet, the Lions would be wise to reel Killa back into more box safety looks where he’s been more effective. His tackling skills and physicality are perfect closer to the line of scrimmage.

Size wise, he fits the profile of a hybrid linebacker/safety at 6-foot-2, 225 pounds. Shoot, linebackers, in general, are getting smaller. A great example of this is Deion Jones of the Atlanta Falcons. He’s slightly smaller than Killebrew (6-foot-1, 222 pounds) but is still a Pro Bowler at a position that’s used to seeing linebackers play in the 230-260 pound range.

The list goes on and on with undersized players playing “out of position”. Truth is, if that’s their best fit and their making plays, they must be “in position”.

Too many fans and beat writers have the Lions pulling the plug on him. If used properly, he could fit a role no one else can play as well as he can.

Unless it’s too good to pass up or he’s apart of a package deal, I don’t think it makes sense to trade him. The depth he provides at safety is better than anyone else, minus Tavon Wilson.

C-H-I-L-L-O-U-T. Players don’t always ball out. To write off Killebrew now just because he’s yet to make a huge impact is silly. Maybe because Detroit has been so bad for so long, that’s why the patience of too many fans towards players is so thin.

Head coach Matt Patricia knows how to get the most out of his players. If anyone can maximize the talents of the Brew, it’s the Beard.

This isn’t the year to cut Miles Killebrew loose, especially on this defense. Lining him up at linebacker is where he belongs. The Detroit Lions can’t give up on him just yet.