REPORT: LB Devon Kennard to sign with Lions
The Detroit Lions have signed their first outside free agent, OLB Devon Kennard, per Peter Schrager.
LB Devon Kennard signing with Lions. Versatile OLB is the right fit in Matt Patricia's defense.@gmfb @nflnetwork @NFL
— Peter Schrager (@PSchrags) March 13, 2018
It appears the contract is worth $18.75-millions over three years. This deal likely means the former Lion LB Tahir Whitehead will not be returning.
Kennard, 26, is going into his fifth season out of USC. The 6-foot-3, 256-pound linebacker was originally selected in 5th-round (174 overall) by the New York Giants.
New #Lions LB Devon Kennard rushed the passer on 59% of his defensive passing snaps.
He had 4 sacks, 4 QB hits, and 6 hurries last year. He allowed 82 total passing yards when dropping back on 125 coverage snaps (Per PFF) #Onepride pic.twitter.com/yHOYotWptt
— Logan Lamorandier (@LLamorandier) March 13, 2018
During his tenure in New York, he played in 52 games, logged 203 tackles, 9.5 sacks, eight passes deflections and one interception. He started 35 games over that span with 11 coming from last year. His versatility to rush the passer and play off the ball is a valuable trait.
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