The Detroit Lions signed Devin White during training camp because injuries made the room thin, and they figured it was worth a chance. Now, the former top-five pick appears to be competing for a starting spot in his eighth NFL season.
Malcolm Rodriguez has been the presumed starter and started in the second preseason game. However, Special Assistant to President/CEO and Chairperson Rick Spielman joined the Lions broadcast and had a lot of praise for the former second-team All-Pro.
Spielman made it clear that White was in competition with Rodriguez for a starting spot.
So not only is White the frontrunner for LB4, he might be LB3…
“Spielman on the Lions broadcast says that Devin White makes plays and that ‘he and Malcolm [Rodriguez] have a great competition going on,” tweeted John Whiticar of Pride of Detroit.
White was on the roster bubble in some projections, but based on the perception in the front office, he is on the starting bubble instead.
Detroit Lions Are High on Free Agent Signing Devin White
GettyDetroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell was very complimentary of new team linebacker Devin White.
White was a former top-five pick by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He started 75 games for them over his first five seasons and made two Pro Bowls and one All-Pro. He was also on the field when the Bucs won their Super Bowl.
However, it looked like White was losing a step in his fifth season, and the Bucs decided to let him test free agency. White signed with the Philadelphia Eagles, but was released in training camp. He caught on with the Houston Texans, but was only active for seven games.
Then, in 2025, he started in 17 games with the Las Vegas Raiders. However, head coach Dan Campbell admitted in training camp that he sees White playing at a different level than in his days in Las Vegas.
“I like where he’s at. He looks like a different guy than what we saw in Vegas last year on tape,” Campbell told reporters. “He’s moving well. He’s thumping. Pretty smart. He’s got speed, still has that speed. What I’m seeing right now, that’s what I remember in Tampa Bay when I was in New Orleans. That was the guy. He was a headache.”
White has played 45 snaps in the preseason and has six tackles and a pressure.
Devin White is in Linebacker Competition
The Lions mostly wanted to kick the tires on White, but if they are seeing a player they saw years ago, it is worth exploring more. Jack Campbell will start in the middle and call the plays. Derrick Barnes has his role as the SAM linebacker who can come down on the edge when needed.
So, it leaves White competing with Rodriguez for the WILL spot next to Campbell. Rodriguez did not play in the first preseason, but competed with White in the second game. He played 19 snaps and had two tackles.
Rodriguez tore his ACL in 2024. He came back and finished the 2025 season, but did not look like the same player. Now, he is being pushed by White coming into the 2026 season. Some of it could be the rise of White, and some if could be the decline of Rodriguez. Either way, the Lions have a new starting job on the line with a week to go until roster cutdowns.
Former Top-5 Pick Goes From Lions Roster Bubble to Starting Battle