Jared

DeVries

The 6'5/280-pound Francis was a second-round pick in 2007, but that was basically used as a redshirt year. He’ll battle Jared DeVries at the position.

Edwards is healthy and active, but has lost his starting job to Jared DeVries. Dewayne White has moved over to right defensive end to take on left tackles. Edwards will probably be used as a situational pass rusher.

Starting Avril and White at the same time would give Detroit its most pass rush potential, but the new coaching staff seems satisfied with Jared DeVries at left end. White has the tools to move there full time, but surprisingly didn’t practice on the strong side all spring. He and Avril will probably end up rotating on the weak side, which would hurt both of their IDP stats.

We may not see DeVries again. He turns 34 before next season and is due $1.3 million in salary. A probable cap casualty (assuming there is a cap) next spring, DeVries registered 8.5 sacks in 20 starts between ’07 and ’08.

“Didn’t look real good on the field,” coach Jim Schwartz said. “It’s down around his ankle. I don’t want to make any speculation.” If DeVries misses regular season time, Dewayne White would start at left defensive end.

It’s the third Achilles’ tear through two weeks of NFL training camp (Reggie Kelly and Ma’ake Kemoeatu were the others), and career-threatening for DeVries, 33. The loss hurts the Lions’ depth, but may be a blessing in disguise. Detroit can now get its top two pass rushers on the field; Dewayne White will likely kick to left defensive end with Cliff Avril on the weak side.

In a perfect world White, who had six sacks in 2007, would be Detroit’s left end, but no one’s stepped up to claim the RE spot. Quick rookie Cliff Avril would seem the best fit there, but he’s small and obviously inexperienced. Ikaika Alama-Francis and Jared DeVries are competing at left end for now.

All Avril has to beat out to start is Jared DeVries and special teamer Corey Smith. Avril is only 6'3/251, but piled up 6.5 sacks and 15 tackles for loss as a senior at Purdue. He’ll be a deep-league IDP to keep an eye on.