Ashlee

Palmer

Palmer was limited to special teams duty last season after being exposed as a liability on defense in 2010. He’ll represent little more than a depth signing on the open market.

Palmer wasn’t tendered as a restricted free agent, so he’s likely returning for a $615,000 minimum deal. A special teamer and backup, Palmer started seven games in his first two seasons but was only a reserve linebacker last year.

Palmer played 65.4 percent of the Lions’ snaps on special teams snaps last season, tied for most on the team. His play earned him a two-year extension. “I’m still a die-hard special-teams guy, but just a little more added to my plate and planning on taking on the challenge.” Palmer is competing with Tahir Whitehead and Travis Lewis to replace Justin Durant. Palmer is a slight favorite after making two starts on the weak-side in 2012.

Limited to special teams his first four seasons, Palmer is competing with Travis Lewis and Tahir Whitehead for a starting role. He remains the slight favorite based on his experience, but Lewis has been working with first-team defense during OTAs the last three weeks.

Palmer will earn a base salary of $1 million in 2013, and then $1.25 million in 2014. The 26-year-old backup outside linebacker appeared in all 16 games this past season and recorded 24 tackles, mainly as a special teams contributor. Both of Detroit’s starting outside ‘backers, DeAndre Levy and Justin Durant, are scheduled to hit unrestricted free agency this offseason.

Justin Durant is a free agent, and it doesn’t appear that he’ll be back. Palmer, 27 next month, started two games at weak-side linebacker last season while also being a special teams stalwart, and he was rewarded with a two-year extension at the end of the year. He recorded 24 tackles and a forced fumble in 16 games.

Whitehead and Lewis were both late-round picks last spring, while Palmer is a four-year veteran. Whitehead and Lewis combined for just three snaps on defense as rookies, while Palmer has only made nine starts in four years. The Lions should be on the lookout for low-cost vets on the open market.

The Lions haven’t made it official yet, but Palmer has exclusively worked with the first-team defense in practice and has started each preseason game. Tahir Whitehead and Travis Lewis have settled into backup roles. Palmer, a veteran special teamer, is now only on the punt coverage team. He’s going to line up next to MLB Stephen Tulloch and WLB DeAndre Levy come Week 1.

A 2012 seventh-round pick, Lewis played just three snaps on defense as a rookie. He simply doesn’t have NFL caliber size (6-foot-1, 246) or speed (4.88 forty). Veteran Ashlee Palmer is the favorite for the job, and Tahir Whitehead is also in the mix.

While not official, this move would make sense for the Lions. Palmer was serviceable in his first season as a starter but lacks the upside and playmaking ability of Van Noy. Palmer will still contribute on special teams and as the first linebacker off the bench.