New Lions linebacker Chris Board spent his first four NFL seasons with the Baltimore Ravens and head coach John Harbaugh before signing with Detroit this offseason as an unrestricted free agent.
Board, an undrafted free agent back in 2018 out of North Dakota State, led the Ravens' special teams, a unit that is annually one of the best in the NFL, with 11 special teams tackles in 2021. That total was more than any Lions player on special teams last season.
Board is also hoping to expand his defensive resume in Detroit. Harbaugh thinks Board can handle more of that responsibility, if asked to do so with the Lions.
"I think he's also a very good linebacker," Harbaugh said earlier this week at the NFL owners meetings in Florida. "He's a good space linebacker. He's a good coverage linebacker. He's tough. He runs to the ball. They are getting a great guy and a heck of a football player."
Board appeared in 63 games (two starts) and recorded 59 tackles (31 solo), 2.5 sacks, one pass defense, two forced fumbles and 35 special teams tackles (21 solo) the last four seasons.
Board instantly becomes a core special teamer in Detroit, but he'll have a chance to compete for playing time on defense alongside Alex Anzalone, Derrick Barnes, Shaun Dion Hamilton, Josh Woods and others at linebacker.
The coverage aspect of Board's defensive game that Harbaugh talked about this week could certainly get him on the field defensively on third down and in passing situations. The Lions' defense ranked 29th in third-down defense and 30th with opposing passers having a 101.0 passer rating against this past season.
View photos of new Lions LB Chris Board.
Baltimore Ravens linebacker Chris Board (49) during an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2019, in Cleveland. The Ravens won 31-15. (Aaron Doster via AP)
Denver Broncos running back Javonte Williams (33) is tackled by Baltimore Ravens cornerback Kevon Seymour (38) and Baltimore Ravens linebacker Chris Board (49) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 03, 2021, in Denver. (Michael Owens via AP)
Baltimore Ravens linebacker Chris Board (49) runs during an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 12, 2021, in Cleveland. The Browns defeated the Ravens 24-22. (Scott Boehm via AP)
Baltimore Ravens linebacker Chris Board (49) gets set against the Los Angeles Chargers during an NFL game, Sunday, Oct. 17, 2021, in Baltimore. The Ravens beat the Chargers 34-6. (Cooper Neill via AP)
Baltimore Ravens linebacker Chris Board (49) tackles Tennessee Titans tight end Anthony Firkser (86) during an NFL wild-card playoff football game, Sunday, Jan. 10, 2021, in Nashville, Tenn. The Ravens defeated the Titans 20-13. (Joe Robbins via AP)
Baltimore Ravens linebacker Chris Board (49) signals at the line during an NFL game against the Kansas City Chiefs , Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, in Baltimore. The Ravens defeated the Chiefs 36-35. (Al Tielemans via AP)
Dallas Cowboy running back Tony Pollard is taken down by Baltimore Ravens Chris Board during the first half of an NFL football game, Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2020, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Gail Burton)
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Andy Dalton (14) throws a pass as Baltimore Ravens linebacker Chris Board (49) rushes in during the first half of an NFL football game, Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2020, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Gail Burton)
Baltimore Ravens linebacker Chris Board (49) runs out of the tunnel during introductions prior to an NFL game against the Cleveland Browns, Monday, Dec. 14, 2020, in Cleveland. The Ravens beat the Browns 47-42. (Cooper Neill via AP)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) loses the ball while getting pressure from Baltimore Ravens linebacker Chris Board (49), cornerback Anthony Averett (23) and defensive end Yannick Ngakoue (91) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2020, in Baltimore. Roethlisberger recovered his fumble on the play. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Tennessee Titans wide receiver A.J. Brown (11) runs with the ball as Baltimore Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey (44) and linebacker Chris Board (49) try to stop him during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2020, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Noah Brown (85) runs the ball against Baltimore Ravens linebacker Chris Board (49) during the second half of an NFL football game, Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2020, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
Baltimore Ravens linebacker Chris Board (49) tackles Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) during an NFL game, Sunday, Sep. 19, 2021, in Baltimore. The Ravens beat the Chiefs 36-35. (Cooper Neill via AP)
Tennessee Titans wide receiver A.J. Brown (11) runs the ball against Baltimore Ravens linebacker Chris Board (49) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2020, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
Baltimore Ravens linebacker Chris Board (49) blocks during an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sept. 15, 2019 in Baltimore. Baltimore won 23-17. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Baltimore Ravens linebacker Chris Board (49) in action during an NFL preseason football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Monday, Aug. 20, 2018, in Indianapolis. The Ravens defeated the Colts, 20-19. (Ryan Kang via AP)
Arizona Cardinals tight end Charles Clay (85) rushes against Baltimore Ravens linebacker Chris Board in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2019, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Gail Burton)
Carolina Panthers' Damiere Byrd (18) runs after a catch as Baltimore Ravens' Chris Board (49) defends in the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 28, 2018. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)
Baltimore Ravens linebacker Chris Board (49) and Pernell McPhee (90) make a tackle to force a fumble on Cleveland Browns receiver Jarvis Landry during a NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2019 in Baltimore. The Browns defeated the Ravens, 40-25. (G. Newman Lowrance via AP)
Baltimore Ravens linebacker Chris Board (49) in action during an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Monday, Nov. 25, 2019 in Los Angeles. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
"There's an opportunity to come in and play and let the chips fall where they may," Board said after signing with Detroit. "I'm just looking forward to that. I'm thankful to be here. I've just got to earn it so I can take that next step, as far as improving and increasing my defensive snaps."
In Board, Harbaugh says the Lions are getting an all-around great teammate and great player.
"Chris Board is a great guy," Harbaugh said. "We loved Chris on our team for the last number of years. He's a heck of a football player. Chris came in and just was impressive since Day 1. Complete football player. In terms of special teams, he's going to be a stalwart. Great special teams player, and he'll be a leader."
