Former Chiefs linebacker Reggie Ragland signs with Detroit Lions

The Detroit Lions have added some help at linebacker with the signing of former Kansas City Chiefs defender Reggie Ragland.

The latest member of the Kansas City Chiefs to sign elsewhere in free agency is linebacker Reggie Ragland, who just accepted a deal to play for the Detroit Lions, per NFL reporter Jeremy Fowler.

Ragland brings a solid skill set as a two-down linebacker who should improve the team’s run defense to the Lions, who saw the Chiefs up close early last season before the defense really gelled for the eventual Super Bowl champions. It should help matters for Detroit that Ragland does bring championship experience at both the college and pro levels.

Interestingly enough, the Lions were also reportedly shopping former first round linebacker Jarrad Davis although those rumors were later called false.

The Chiefs first traded for Ragland back before the 2017 season began in one of general manager Brett Veach’s first official moves as John Dorsey‘s replacement. Just one full season after Ragland was the second round choice of the Buffalo Bills in 2016, Veach sent a future fourth round selection to Buffalo for Ragland.

Ragland lasted three seasons in Kansas City but never quite lived up to the buzz that accompanied him into his NFL draft class (2016). That said, he was absolutely a solid defender on a Super Bowl team who should enjoy a long career as a run defender. Ragland had 32 starts in 42 total games for the Chiefs. Last season he had 30 tackles, 2 sacks, and 1 fumble recovery for the Chiefs in 7 starts.

The Lions continue to revamp the second level of their defense. Along with Ragland, the team already imported free agent linebacker Jamie Collins a bit earlier in March.