NFL Analyst suggests the Lions add former Pro Bowler with ties to coaching staff to their defense ahead of training camp

Training camp is less than three weeks away for the Detroit Lions and they still have one roster spot left. There's multiple areas where they could add some help. Receiver and defensive line are the top two places where the Lions could use assistance . One analyst thinks they could add in another spot though.

Pro Football Network's Lorenzo Reyna is suggesting that the Lions add a linebacker . Specifically former Pro Bowler Kwon Alexander. Here's his reasoning:

"As stacked as the Detroit Lions are across the field, linebacker remains a big question mark.

Rookie Jack Campbell was met with mixed results in ’23 and appeared to have difficulty adjusting right away to the speed of the NFL. Perhaps he will take leaps in 2024, but Kwon Alexander is among the fastest LBs available and can be another option for them."

Alexander is an interesting option. At one point in time he looked to be one of the better linebackers in the NFL. He led the league in tackles in 2016 and then made the Pro Bowl in 2017. Since then he has bounced around a lot and hasn't really found a home.

Alexander has been with the 49ers, Saints, Jets and Steelers since 2019. There is some connectivity with Alexander and the Lions coaching staff because of that time in New Orleans. Alexander was there with Dan Campbell and Aaron Glenn in 2020, so they've seen what he can bring.

With all that said, there's just no reason the Lions should do this. Right now they are stacked at linebacker. It's their deepest position on the defense.

Jack Campbell had mixed results in 2023, but he came on strong at the end of the year and he looked really good in OTAs and minicamp . Alex Anzlaone is coming off the best year of his career,

On the bench, Derrick Barnes is only getting better each year. He could realistically steal a starting spot at some point. Jalen Reeves-Maybin is the best special teams player in the league and he played really well in short order when put on defense last season.

Then there's Malcolm Rodriguez. He's been a great special teams player as well and he offers two way ability since he can play full back too . Lastly there's Ben Nieman. The Lions just signed him. He has some good special team ability too.

The room is just full right now and Alexander doesn't really have a shot to make the roster here right now. Either that or the Lions probably wouldn't want to part with any of the guys they currently have to make that happen.

The huge thing is that he's coming off a torn Achilles that he suffered in November. While it looks like he may be ready to go for camp , it's such a risky injury to come back from. The Lions just watched Tracy Walker struggle to come back from his. It's jut not the right move for the Lions at this time.

Related: Projecting the passing, rushing and receiving stats the Lions offense will put up in 2024