The Detroit Lions announced that they have claimed third-year linebacker Shaun Dion Hamilton off waivers. Hamilton was recently released by the Washington Football Team.
Hamilton was drafted by Washington in the sixth round of the 2018 NFL draft (pick 197 overall), and still has one year remaining on his rookie deal — which carries a base contract number of $920,000 — making him an affordable option as competition on the roster.
Hamilton started over two years at Alabama, playing an off-the-ball MIKE role, but two ACL injuries raised some concerns about his long-term availability and dropped his draft stock.
His time in the NFL has been mainly as a reserve linebacker but he is a valuable five-phase special teams contributor. He played in all 16 games his first two seasons in Washington, then 14 more this year before being place on injured reserve. Overall, he has 46 games played, with seven starts at linebacker.
The Lions enter the offseason with three linebackers under contract — Jamie Collins, Jahlani Tavai, and Christian Jones — as well as Anthony Pittman signed to a futures deal, but the group is expected to be overhauled with a new regime headed to Detroit.
At a minimum, Hamilton will offer the Lions a player capable of contributing in multiple phases of special teams, as well as competition at linebacker in training camp.
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