The Lions Should Draft This Guy: Michigan’s Jaishawn Barham makes so much sense for Detroit, but not at his current position

The Lions are on the lookout for a Sam linebacker, and Michigan’s Jaishawn Barham would be the best opportunity to fill that role

Mike Payton — Detroit Lions Beat Writer
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Nov 22, 2025; College Park, Maryland, USA; Michigan Wolverines linebacker Jaishawn Barham (1) reacts after tackle for a loss during the first half against the Maryland Terrapins at SECU Stadium.
Nov 22, 2025; College Park, Maryland, USA; Michigan Wolverines linebacker Jaishawn Barham (1) reacts after tackle for a loss during the first half against the Maryland Terrapins at SECU Stadium. Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images

We’re getting closer and closer to the 2026 NFL Draft for the Detroit Lions. With that in mind, we’re starting our new series called The Lions Should Draft This Guy. We’re going to profile a bunch of players we feel the Lions would love, and talk about their positives and negatives. Follow along! Here’s who we’ve covered so far:

The Positives of Jaishawn Barham

The Lions met with Barham at the 2026 NFL Combine, and they did not talk to him about playing edge rusher; they talked to him about playing Sam linebacker. When you watch the film, you can really see why.

He’s not just setting the edge here. He flies to the ball, and that speed and run-stopping ability is what you need at the Sam. On top of that, you also want to be able to rush the passer as well. Barham does that well, too. He can also drop into coverage. Something Michigan did a lot with him previously to 2025. He also did it a lot at Maryland before transferring to Ann Arbor.

The Lions might have to spend some time working him into the position, much like how they did with James Houston, but the success should come easier since Houston was like plugging a square peg into a round hole. Barham is the round peg.

The Concerns

Again, you have to teach him to play this role for the Lions. Even though he should be able to do it, you’re not going to get a ton of action out of him right away, and that’s fine for a third or fourth round pick. Just know that some patience is required. It doesn’t mean he’ll ride the bench. But he won’t start right away.

The Lions need to calm him down a little bit. By that, I mean he can play with his hair on fire and overshoot his target, or get caught looking. He needs to dial things down and learn to be a little more intentional with what he does on the field. Ahmed Hassanein needs that too. Maybe they can be accountability buddies.

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