Travis

Lewis

A four-year starter for the Sooners, Lewis struggled through his senior season while playing with a broken foot. A tough tackler with a high football IQ, Lewis simply lacks NFL-caliber size and speed. He’s headed for a special teams role if he cracks the Lions’ final roster.

It’s not Burfictian territory, but it’s close. Lewis made a ton of tackles in college, but lacks speed to develop into 4-3 starting linebacker. “He didn’t run real well, but you watch him on the field, he plays fast,” coach Jim Schwartz insisted. “He showed a lot of toughness this year and he’s been productive.”

Lewis was a well-known player at Oklahoma, racking up lots of tackles but lacking NFL-caliber measurables and rarely playing to his big name. He may end up going the same route as fellow former OU linebacker Rufus Alexander.

Both linebackers are among the eight Lions starters slated to hit unrestricted free agency. Travis Lewis and Tahir Whitehead, both selected late in the 2012 draft, are viewed as potential replacements in the starting lineup.

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.

Lewis will miss the remainder of the regular season, but will be eligible to return for the postseason if Detroit advances. A special teamer, Lewis has six tackles in 12 games.

A core special teamer, the Vikings signed Lewis on the opening day of free agency, so his release is surprising. Lewis served a four-game PED ban in 2014 before having his best season in 2015. He should land on his feet.

Whitehead had lined up as the first-team strongside ‘backer throughout training camp, but Travis Lewis started and recorded eight tackles in that position against the Jaguars. A 2012 seventh-round pick, Lewis has just seven career tackles, so it would be surprising if Whitehead lost his job to him. Whitehead’s role could be in danger if 2014 second-rounder Kyle Van Noy could ever get healthy.