Chris Board's steady climb up the depth chart began on opening day of his rookie season with the Baltimore Ravens.
Board, who signed with the Detroit Lions as a free agent after four seasons with the Ravens, hopes to expand his defensive role further.
As an undrafted rookie from North Dakota State, it was no small accomplishment that Board won a spot as a core member of the Ravens' special teams unit.
He made quick progress. In the 2018 opening game he played 10 snaps at linebacker and 27 on special teams in a 47-3 win over the Buffalo Bills.
Board's role on defense grew throughout his four seasons with the Ravens. It reached a peak of 33 percent of the team defensive total (337 snaps) in 2021, a slight jump from the 264 he played in 2020.
When Board hit free agency and looked for a landing spot to further his career, he was impressed with the culture that's being built by head coach Dan Campbell and GM Brad Holmes.
"I want to be part of that," Board said at a press conference Wednesday.
There's also an opportunity for Board to take another jump in playing time. With the Ravens, he was used primarily as a third-down player on defense because of his coverage skills.
View photos of new Lions LB Chris Board.
Baltimore Ravens linebacker Chris Board (49) during an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2019, in Cleveland. The Ravens won 31-15. (Aaron Doster via AP)
Denver Broncos running back Javonte Williams (33) is tackled by Baltimore Ravens cornerback Kevon Seymour (38) and Baltimore Ravens linebacker Chris Board (49) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 03, 2021, in Denver. (Michael Owens via AP)
Baltimore Ravens linebacker Chris Board (49) runs during an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 12, 2021, in Cleveland. The Browns defeated the Ravens 24-22. (Scott Boehm via AP)
Baltimore Ravens linebacker Chris Board (49) gets set against the Los Angeles Chargers during an NFL game, Sunday, Oct. 17, 2021, in Baltimore. The Ravens beat the Chargers 34-6. (Cooper Neill via AP)
Baltimore Ravens linebacker Chris Board (49) tackles Tennessee Titans tight end Anthony Firkser (86) during an NFL wild-card playoff football game, Sunday, Jan. 10, 2021, in Nashville, Tenn. The Ravens defeated the Titans 20-13. (Joe Robbins via AP)
Baltimore Ravens linebacker Chris Board (49) signals at the line during an NFL game against the Kansas City Chiefs , Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, in Baltimore. The Ravens defeated the Chiefs 36-35. (Al Tielemans via AP)
Dallas Cowboy running back Tony Pollard is taken down by Baltimore Ravens Chris Board during the first half of an NFL football game, Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2020, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Gail Burton)
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Andy Dalton (14) throws a pass as Baltimore Ravens linebacker Chris Board (49) rushes in during the first half of an NFL football game, Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2020, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Gail Burton)
Baltimore Ravens linebacker Chris Board (49) runs out of the tunnel during introductions prior to an NFL game against the Cleveland Browns, Monday, Dec. 14, 2020, in Cleveland. The Ravens beat the Browns 47-42. (Cooper Neill via AP)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) loses the ball while getting pressure from Baltimore Ravens linebacker Chris Board (49), cornerback Anthony Averett (23) and defensive end Yannick Ngakoue (91) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2020, in Baltimore. Roethlisberger recovered his fumble on the play. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Tennessee Titans wide receiver A.J. Brown (11) runs with the ball as Baltimore Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey (44) and linebacker Chris Board (49) try to stop him during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2020, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Noah Brown (85) runs the ball against Baltimore Ravens linebacker Chris Board (49) during the second half of an NFL football game, Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2020, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
Baltimore Ravens linebacker Chris Board (49) tackles Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) during an NFL game, Sunday, Sep. 19, 2021, in Baltimore. The Ravens beat the Chiefs 36-35. (Cooper Neill via AP)
Tennessee Titans wide receiver A.J. Brown (11) runs the ball against Baltimore Ravens linebacker Chris Board (49) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2020, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
Baltimore Ravens linebacker Chris Board (49) blocks during an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sept. 15, 2019 in Baltimore. Baltimore won 23-17. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Baltimore Ravens linebacker Chris Board (49) in action during an NFL preseason football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Monday, Aug. 20, 2018, in Indianapolis. The Ravens defeated the Colts, 20-19. (Ryan Kang via AP)
Arizona Cardinals tight end Charles Clay (85) rushes against Baltimore Ravens linebacker Chris Board in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2019, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Gail Burton)
Carolina Panthers' Damiere Byrd (18) runs after a catch as Baltimore Ravens' Chris Board (49) defends in the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 28, 2018. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)
Baltimore Ravens linebacker Chris Board (49) and Pernell McPhee (90) make a tackle to force a fumble on Cleveland Browns receiver Jarvis Landry during a NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2019 in Baltimore. The Browns defeated the Ravens, 40-25. (G. Newman Lowrance via AP)
Baltimore Ravens linebacker Chris Board (49) in action during an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Monday, Nov. 25, 2019 in Los Angeles. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
"That's definitely my strength," he said.
He has a chance to play a bigger role in the Lions' defense.
"There's an opportunity to come in and play and let the chips fall where they may," he said. "I'm just looking forward to that. I'm thankful to be here.
"I've just got to earn it so I can take that next step, as far as improving and increasing my defensive snaps."
