The Lions have acquired Seahawks defensive end/outside linebacker Lawrence Jackson for an undisclosed 2011 draft pick. Seattle announced the move today and said that the Lions had been expressing "strong interest" in Jackson, who was a first-round pick (28th overall selection) in 2008.
The reason for the trade from the Seahawks perspective is that Jackson simply didn't fit into their new defensive scheme, as John Boyle of HearaldNet writes.
Prior to the start of training camp, Jackson lost his starting job to former defensive tackle Red Bryant, a move that signaled a shift in the philosophy of Seattle's defensive line.
Rather than have two more traditional ends, players who are built more like the 270-pound Jackson, or like Patrick Kerney, a starter for the past three seasons before retiring, the Seahawks have two distinctly different ends. Bryant plays what is known as the five-technique, a big-bodied run stopper that normally lines up on the same side of the field as the opposing tight end. Chris Clemons is at the "Leo" spot, a smaller, pass-rushing end who will also be asked at times to drop back and play like a linebacker.
Until the Lions comment one way or another on this move, there will be speculation about what position Jackson will play, but it certainly seems like he is going to be a defensive end considering he is 6-foot-4 and 270 pounds.
UPDATE: Based on this tweet from Chris McCosky, I'd say it's pretty evident that Jackson will play defensive end:
Agent confirmed -- Lions acquire DE Lawrence Jackson for 2011 draft pick. Lions real worried about DeVries' knee and lack depth at DE.
I know all of you are thinking this, so I will just say it: If depth was such a concern, why did the Lions release Jason Hunter?