The Detroit Lions are in first place with five weeks to go in the regular season and the playoffs are a definite possibility. As the Lions have gone on, they’ve seen more and more of Detroit’s rookie class with increased roles.

That includes safety Miles Killebrew -- the focus of this week’s mailbag question. To ask a question for the mailbag, use the hashtag #LionsMailbag on Twitter, email me at michael.rothstein@espn.com or give a follow over on Facebook.

Now, on to your question:

With Killebrew this far ahead of where we expected, does he get more snaps or continue to be brought along slowly (which has worked)? https://t.co/xIVo2Tk8a3 — Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) November 25, 2016

Kent asks an interesting question here, particularly because the Lions have been packaging so much defensively the past few weeks to pretty decent success. Part of that is having Miles Killebrew entering the game on third down as a hybrid linebacker/safety near the line of scrimmage.

Killebrew has thrived in this role, particularly the past two weeks when his snaps have jumped up a little bit as a regular third-down contributor. Since Week 7 against Washington, he’s played between nine and 12 snaps each game and has at least one tackle in four of those five games.

His efficiency has ratcheted up the past two weeks. He had five tackles in 12 snaps against Jacksonville and then four tackles in nine reps against Minnesota. He’s found a way to be around the ball and make the play time and time again when he’s been on the field.

“He’s been playing in that package for quite some time now,” Lions coach Jim Caldwell said earlier this week. “He just hadn’t been quite as effective, hadn’t been quite as noticeable. That’s game-to-game just like anything else.

“But I do think that there’s no question about it, that like I mentioned, his understanding is better. Better position, this young guy, this learning and developing and he’s coming along.”

That said, his role should primarily remain the same for now. There was never a question about his hitting ability and tackling prowess coming out of college. The bigger issue came in coverage for Killebrew as he transitioned to the NFL, and if he’s on the field for more plays he could be exposed in coverage at a spot where the Lions use Rafael Bush and Tavon Wilson depending on the scenario.

And with DeAndre Levy expected to come back soon as well, the Lions might get some more help in coverage.

So it doesn’t make sense to rush him too much now. But he’s going to be an interesting piece for the Detroit defense in 2017 when he has a full offseason to hone his role. Considering Rafael Bush is a free agent after the season and Tavon Wilson's dead money is $250,000, there’s a chance he could have a larger role next year.

But if I’m the Lions, I wouldn’t rush it -- not with games increasing in intensity. Better to have him master one role first before giving him too much.