What switching to a 4-3 could mean for the current Lions players

Reggie Ragland (6-2, 252lb)

Like Christian Jones, Ragland has spent his time in the NFL being brought to where ever there was a 3-4 system in place. Ragland was drafted by Buffalo in 2016 while in Rex Ryan’s 3-4 defense, the Bills fired Ryan that season and brought in Sean McDermott and his 4-3 defense.

Ragland was then traded to Kansas City with Bob Sutton as defensive coordinator, of course, ran 3-4 defense, and preferred bigger linebackers. When the Chiefs switched to the 4-3 under Steve Spagnuolo in 2019, who prefers speed in his linebackers, Ragland saw his snap go from 49% to 21% on the season.

I would expect a similar role switch as he had in Kansas City with a scheme switch. When he went from playing an in-the-box ILB role in 2018 in the 3-4 to more of an on-the-line OLB role in 2019 while in a 4-3 base. Where he won’t be as effective as he isn’t fast enough to speed-rush or strong enough to bull-rush consistently as an EDGE player.

Transition Grade: D+ (switch would hurt)

Julian Okwara (6-4, 250lb)

Unlike defensive end Flowers, Okwara hasn’t shown to be able to massively play bigger than his weight, therefore, it’s hard imagining he has the strength to set the EDGE as a true defensive end in either scheme. He’s primarily used on the right side of the EDGE as an outside linebacker and ‘wide end’ where he has help inside occupying the offensive tackle.

Until he shows he can bulk, stay, and play at the weight he’ll be more valuable as a rush outside linebacker with some cover skills. There, his versatility would be more suited for a 3-4 OLB role.

Transition Grade: D (switch would hurt)