Detroit Lions: DeAndre Levy to Replace Julian Peterson?

It is known by Lions fans that outside linebacker is a position of need this season with the release of Julian Peterson. 

Many have the Lions picking his replacement in the early-to-mid rounds of the 2011 draft. 

Schwartz, however, recently proposed another solution by moving DeAndre Levy from the middle to outside linebacker position.

This could change the face of prospective draft picks once again.

Or maybe not.

Schwartz reiterated the coaching staff's preference for versatile players to Kevin Seifert of ESPN.com.

"Part of our criteria for linebackers is we like multidimensional players," Schwartz said.

"And that means the ability to play inside and outside. That means the ability to play pass and run, all those things. One of the reasons we drafted him [Levy] is that he is a multidimensional player. He's a little bit like [quarterback] Matt Stafford. We just need to keep him on the field. When he's played and he's been healthy, he's done very, very well for us. He could move around a lot of different places."

When Levy played for the University of Wisconsin, he played at the outside linebacker position, so it wouldn't be a stretch for him.

However, the Lions will not likely change Levy's position because they like him where he is.

"We're very happy with him inside," Schwartz said.

"One of his strengths is his ability to control the defense. It's something we were very pleased with when he was a rookie [in 2009]. ... It's very rare that a rookie can do the things that he did. ... [Then] he was very, very impressive in our offseason program, just in getting us set, what our checks were, all those different things. He's a very, very good communicator. So there is also a value to having him in the middle of your defense."

The way Schwartz is talking and thinking about DeAndre Levy suggests that the front office has been forced to look at every angle possible for replacing Peterson because of the lockout and question marks about free-agency. 

They are prepared for whatever scenario they end up facing.

Ashlee Palmer and Bobby Carpenter made very good progress last season. The only immediate issue, if the Lions coaching staff are happy with them, would be depth. 

Strengthening the position by bringing in competition has generally played out very well in Detroit. They can upgrade their D-line, therefore, either way by bringing in new talent. 

The new guys may get the starting spot or they may push Carpenter and Palmer to perform at an even higher level. 

No one really knows what Mayhew and Schwartz will do when the draft arrives, but they will likely add at least one linebacker to the offensive line to further insure the protection of Matthew Stafford.

As Schwartz stated, Levy is very, very good at the middle position as long as he stays healthy.

Let's hope for a healthy year for all of our players, including the ones who don the Honolulu Blue on draft day.