ALLEN PARK -- The Detroit Lions are installing a series of changes to their defense under new coordinator Teryl Austin.

Though the base scheme remains a 4-3, they are bringing more pressure from each level of the defense. They are blitzing from several angles and positions. They are mixing up the fronts.

They are doing all of this to confuse offenses. And if early offseason practices are any indication, defensive end Devin Taylor will play a key role in the new system.

With Jason Jones still easing his way back from knee surgery, Taylor has repped with the first unit opposite Ezekiel Ansah. He's also repped some at defensive tackle in various subpackages, including in what appears to be the nickel look.

"I played a little bit (there) last year," Taylor said last week. "Learned some of the different techniques they had for us then.

"Just now I'll probably get more of a bigger role this year for inside as well."

Drafted in the fourth round out of South Carolina, Taylor wasn't expected to contribute much last year at a position that featured a key free-agent acquisition (Jones) and prized fifth-overall pick (Ansah).

The Lions also returned veteran Willie Young and signed veteran Israel Idonije.

But Taylor was pressed into action after Jones ruptured his patellar tendon in a Week 3 win against Washington. He went on to play in 14 games and made two starts.

He finished the year with nine tackles, 2.5 sacks and two forced fumbles.

Now with Idonije and Young in Chicago, Taylor is expected to at least be a key reserve this year. He could vie with Jones for the starting job opposite Ansah.

And, it seems, he could have a greater role inside as the Lions try to figure out how to create as much misdirection and chaos as possible.