Detroit Lions Give Former Chiefs Defensive Back Jason Taylor II Another NFL Opportunity

The Detroit Lions are giving defensive back Jason Taylor II another chance to establish himself in the NFL after his career took an unexpected turn from the Kansas City Chiefs to the UFL earlier this year.

Detroit announced Monday that it had signed Taylor along with running back Roydell Williams. The team also placed running back Raheem Blackshear and wide receiver Cedrick Wilson on injured reserve. The moves provide the Lions with additional depth as they prepare for their final preseason matchup and the upcoming roster deadline.

For Taylor, however, the signing represents more than simply another late-training-camp addition.

The 26-year-old was drafted just three years ago, has spent time with three NFL organizations and played significant UFL football this spring. He now has a short window to turn that unconventional journey into another opportunity at the NFL level.

Taylor Takes an Unusual Road Back to the NFL

Taylor entered the league in 2023 after the Los Angeles Rams selected him with the 234th overall pick in the seventh round out of Oklahoma State.

He appeared in eight games as a rookie and finished the season with five tackles. His time with Los Angeles ended the following year, after which he spent time on the Arizona Cardinals’ practice squad.

Kansas City eventually became Taylor’s next NFL stop.

The Chiefs signed him to a reserve/futures contract in January 2025, but the team released him following that year’s draft. With his NFL opportunities temporarily drying up, Taylor eventually made his way to the UFL.

He joined the Orlando Storm in 2026 and used the opportunity to get meaningful game experience.

During five UFL regular-season games, Taylor recorded 15 tackles and forced one fumble. He added seven tackles and a tackle for loss during Orlando’s playoff appearance.

That recent playing experience could give him an advantage over other available free agents. Rather than arriving in Detroit without having played football this year, Taylor has fresh film that the Lions can evaluate.

Lions Give Taylor Limited Time to Impress

Taylor won’t have much time to make an impression in Detroit.

The defensive back has experience playing both safety and in the slot, giving him the versatility to fill multiple roles. That flexibility could be particularly valuable as the Lions finalize their roster.

Because he joined the team so late in the preseason, Taylor faces an uphill battle to earn a spot on the initial 53-man roster. Still, the opportunity could lead to more than just a short-term roster spot.

Late preseason additions often serve as auditions. Taylor can show Detroit’s coaching staff what he can provide while also putting new film in front of other NFL teams preparing to finalize their rosters and practice squads.

His physical abilities have long been one of his selling points. Taylor stands around 6 feet tall and weighs approximately 204 pounds, while he reportedly ran a 4.41-second 40-yard dash at Oklahoma State.

His pre-draft evaluation also highlighted his ability to line up in different safety roles and potentially contribute as a big nickel defender.

For Detroit, that combination makes Taylor an intriguing low-risk addition. He already has NFL experience, can play multiple positions and has been getting regular snaps in competitive football this year.

The Lions aren’t necessarily expecting Taylor to become a major part of the roster immediately. Instead, they are giving a former seventh-round pick another opportunity to prove that his NFL career isn’t over.

After taking an unconventional route through the UFL, Taylor is back on an NFL roster with one final preseason opportunity to show that he belongs.