The Detroit Lions have wrapped up the 2017 season. Over the next several days, MLive.com will hand out reviews for each of the team's position groups. Previously: Offensive line | Quarterback | Receiver/tight end | Running back | Defensive line

Linebackers

Starters: Tahir Whitehead, Jarrad Davis, Paul Worrilow

Backups: Jalen Reeves-Maybin, Nick Bellore, Steve Longa

Key stats: 3.5 sacks; 2 fumbles forced; 6 fumbles recovered; 2 interceptions; Davis led all rookies with 96 tackles

Kyle's grade: C

Nate's grade: C-

Analysis: There might not have been a more improved position group than this one. And that's not to say they were great. They weren't. But the linebackers were terrible in 2016, and about average in 2017. That's progress. They had 3.5 sacks, and forced a couple fumbles, and recovered six others, and even picked off two passes. Their grand total in all those categories from 2016: Zero. Again, progress.

The major shakeup occurred in the middle, where Detroit used the 21st overall pick on Davis and immediately inserted him into the starting lineup. Although he led all rookies in tackles, his debut wasn't a total success either. He struggled so much against the pass, his role was scaled back for a few games in the second half of the season. But then Davis' performance improved, and he finished the season strong. It wasn't the debut the Lions were hoping for, but there were also enough positive signs down the stretch to offer hope he can make a jump in 2018.

Davis was acquired to replace Whitehead, who was awful in the middle in 2016. He returned to the weak side in 2017, where he enjoyed a bit of a comeback. He still was no star, and the Lions could look to upgrade the position as Whitehead heads toward free agency in March -- in fact, his replacement could already be on the roster in Jalen Reeves-Maybin -- but he was solid in 2017. In fact, he ranked 25th among all linebackers according to ProFootballFocus. Just one season after finishing second to last. Again, not exactly a star. But progress.

Once a major liability, Detroit's linebacker corps finally showed progress in 2017. But more changes could be afoot in 2018 depending on what system Matt Patricia brings with him from New England. Patricia has already begun overhauling the defensive staff, including ousting linebackers coach Bill Sheridan, and the same could eventually happen with the personnel. The Lions have rolled with three linebackers behind a four-man front for years, but Patricia's defenses in New England primarily featured four linebackers. And such a system could require different personnel.