EDGE Jabaal Sheard is visiting the Detroit Lions

ESPN’s Adam Schefter is reporting that EDGE rusher Jabaal Sheard is visiting the Detroit Lions today.

“Sheard, who has been waiting for the right opportunity and deal, is visiting with the Lions for a potential reunion in Detroit with HC Matt Patricia and GM Bob Quinn,” Schefter said per source. “They all won a Super Bowl together in New England.” 

Sheard (6-3, 268) was originally selected in the second round of the 2011 draft by the Browns and started all four of his years in Cleveland. He joined the Patriots for the 2015 and 2016 seasons, then went on to join the Indianapolis Colts for the next three years before entering free agency.

In 2017, Sheard played outside linebacker — similar to the Lions JACK position — and registered 5.5 sacks. In 2018, the Colts switched to a 43 scheme, and Sheard shifted to defensive end, registering 5.5 and 4.5 sacks the last two years.

If the Lions were to bring in Sheard, he would shift around different spots on the defensive front, likely ranging between JACK and the 4i-technique, in a similar way the Lions deployed Austin Bryant last season.