Lions vs. Jets: Roster Connections
View the roster connections between the Detroit Lions and New York Jets.
Lions DE Kerry Hyder Jr. began his NFL career with the Jets as an undrafted rookie free agent, spending the majority of the 2014 season on their practice squad.
Lions FB Nick Bellore spent the first four years of his career (2011-14) with the Jets as a linebacker and special teams ace. Bellore appeared in all 64 games during that stretch and either tied the team-high or led the Jets in special teams tackles all four seasons.
Jets LB Brandon Copeland played for the Lions from 2015-16. During his two-year stint in Detroit, Copeland contributed 19 total tackles.
Jets WR Andre Roberts played for the Lions in 2016 and tied for the NFL-lead with two punt return touchdowns.
Jets DE Lawrence Thomas is a native of Detroit, Mich., and attended Detroit Renaissance High School where he was ranked as the state's No. 1 senior by The Detroit News, Detroit Free Press, Lansing State Journal, Rivals.com and 247sports in 2010. He then went on to attend Michigan State and played in 47 career games with 27 starts.
Jets OL Ben Braden is originally from Rockford, Mich., and attended Rockford High School where he was a two-year starter at right tackle. He then went on to Michiganand earned All-Big Ten Second Team honors in his senior season in 2016.
Lions RB Theo Riddick grew up in Manville, N.J., which is roughly 30 miles from Florham Park, N.J., where the Jets are headquartered at the Atlantic Health Jets Training Center.
Lions T Taylor Decker and Jets OLB Darron Lee were teammates at Ohio State from 2014-15 and helped guide the Buckeyes to a 27-3 record over that span, including a win over Oregon in the 2015 College Football Playoff National Championship Game.
Lions RB Ameer Abdullah, Jets WR Quincy Enunwa and Jets C Spencer Long were teammates at Nebraska from 2011-13. From 2012-13, Long paved the way for Abdullah to rush for a combined 2,827 yards and 17 touchdowns while averaging 5.6 yards per rush.
Lions LB Jarrad Davis, Jets S Marcus Maye and Jets OL Jonotthan Harrison were teammates at Florida in 2013.
Lions C/G Graham Glasgow and Jets OL Ben Braden anchored the Michigan offensive line from 2013-15.
Lions LB Christian Jones and Jets S Terrence Brooks played starred together at Florida State from 2010-13. The duo helped lead the Seminoles to a win over Auburn in the 2013 BCS National Championship Game and combined for 359 total tackles (212 solo) and six interceptions in their careers.
Lions TE Luke Willson, Lions WR Golden Tate and Jets WR Jermaine Kearse were teammates with the Seattle Seahawks in 2013. That season, the trio combined for 106 receptions for 1,516 yards and 10 touchdowns and helped Seattle win Super Bowl XLVIII, their first-ever championship. Jets G James Carpenter also played on the offense.
