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Detroit Lions News & Rumors

Lions Host TE Luke Willson

March 17th, 2018 at 7:23pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Lions have completed a free agent visit with tight end Luke Willson, according to Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times (Twitter link).

Detroit has released Eric Ebron and witnessed Darren Fells sign with the Browns over the past week, so the club is clearly in need of a new tight end. The Lions were reportedly interested in Trey Burton before he signed with the division-rival Bears, while they also met with veteran Brent Celek after he was released by the Eagles.

Willson has been busy in his own right, as the former Seahawk has been hosted by the Jaguars and Panthers this week. The 28-year-old has never been much of an offensive force, but his usage took a serious hit when Seattle acquired fellow tight end Jimmy Graham in 2015. Willson failed to top 200 yards receiving in either of the past two seasons, but he did grade as the league’s No. 26 run-blocking tight end among 69 qualifiers, per Pro Football Focus.

At present, the Lions’ tight end depth chart is comprised of Michael Roberts, Hakeem Valles, and Brandon Barnes.

Marcus Martin To Visit Lions, Cowboys

March 17th, 2018 at 12:54pm CST by Ben Levine

Versatile offensive lineman Marcus Martin has a pair of meetings coming up. Mike Garafolo of the NFL Network reports (via Twitter) that Martin will visit the Lions and Cowboys.

The 2014 third-round pick out of USC spent the first three-seasons of his career with the 49ers, including a 2015 campaign where he started 14 games. However, the lineman only played in four games (two starts) in 2016 before landing on the injured reserve. After being waived by San Francisco last offseason, he was claimed by the Browns. He ultimately didn’t take the field for a single game for Cleveland.

Considering Martin’s ability to play both offensive guard and center, he’d be an easy fit as a reserve for any team.

Lions To Sign RB LeGarrette Blount

March 16th, 2018 at 8:27pm CST by Micah Powell

The Lions beefed up their backfield Friday night, signing veteran running back LeGarrette Blount to a one-year deal worth $4.5MM, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport tweets. 

Justin Rogers of the Detroit News tweets Blount’s deal is worth a $2MM base salary with an extra $2.5MM in incentives.

By joining Detroit, Blount reunites with new head coach Matt Patricia, who served as defensive coordinator of the Patriots when the running back was in New England.

Following his three-year run with the Pats, Blount joined the Eagles and produced 766 yards and two touchdowns in 2017. He helped Philadelphia claim its first Super Bowl title with a 41-33 win over New England.

The move gives Detroit something it hasn’t had in a long time — a physical back. In 2017, the team used Ameer Abdullah and Theo Riddick almost exclusively, giving the team a pair of solid pass catchers who lack between-the-tackles reliability. Blount should offer a solid change-of-pace to those backs.

The Lions ranked dead last in the NFL in rushing yards in 2017. That ranking is sure to improve with the signing of Blount.

[RELATED: Lions Depth Chart]

NFC Notes: Lions, Ngata, Giants

March 16th, 2018 at 3:27pm CST by Zachary Links

Here’s a quick look at the NFC:

  • Defensive tackle Haloti Ngata inked a one-year, $2.6MM fully guaranteed deal ($3MM maximum value) with the Eagles this week, but he had the same offer on the table from the Lions, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com hears (video link). He chose the Eagles because he felt they were a better scheme fit for him. In Philadelphia’s two-gap system, Ngata is hoping to get back to his old form as he backs up Fletcher Cox and Timmy Jernigan.
  • The Giants restructured linebacker Alec Ogletree‘s contract to prorate the $7MM roster bonus he was due over the remaining four years of his contract, a source tells Dan Duggan of The Athletic (on Twitter). His cap hit will be reduced from $10MM to $4.75MM in 2018, according to ESPN.com’s Jordan Raanan (on Twitter).
  • Bears tight end Dion Sims remained on the team’s roster today and now has $4MM of his $6MM base salary fully guaranteed for 2018, as Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune (on Twitter) notes.

Lions, Saints In On LB Jonathan Freeny

March 16th, 2018 at 1:48pm CST by Zachary Links

Free agent linebacker Jonathan Freeny will meet with the Lions on Friday, according to Herbie Teope of the Times-Picayune (on Twitter). Meanwhile, a return to the Saints could still be in the cards. 

Freeny joined the Saints in December and worked his way into the linebacker rotation. He appeared in two regular season games as well as both of New Orleans’ playoff contests. In the postseason, he tallied five tackles and one sack (pictured).

In other Lions news, the team re-signed running back Zach Zenner on Friday and has a meeting scheduled with running back Mike Davis.

Lions To Meet With RB Mike Davis

March 16th, 2018 at 9:02am CST by Zachary Links

The Lions will meet with running back Mike Davis on Friday, according to NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport (on Twitter). Davis also has other visits lined up after his Detroit trip, Rapoport adds. 

Davis, a fourth-round pick of the Niners in 2015, was claimed off waivers by Seattle in May. Although he didn’t make the Week 1 cut, the Seahawks signed him to the taxi squad after releasing him. In November, Davis earned a promotion to the varsity squad when C.J. Prosise landed on IR.

Davis’ stat line doesn’t jump off the page, but he did have some performances of note late last season. On Dec. 10 against Jacksonville, he ran for 66 yards off of 15 carries, good for a 4.4 yards per carry average. Then, in the season finale against Arizona, he had 48 yards off of ten attempts. He’s not a surefire answer for the Lions’ running woes, but he could compete for a spot on the roster.

On Friday morning, the Lions announced that running back Zach Zenner has been re-signed. If Davis is inked, that would make six RBs under contract for Detroit. Even then, they’d still continue to explore options in free agency and the draft.

Lions Re-Sign RB Zach Zenner

March 16th, 2018 at 8:51am CST by Zachary Links

The Lions announced that they have re-signed running back Zach Zenner. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. 

Zenner, 27 in September, was non-tendered by Detroit. He’s back with the team on a new deal anyway, presumably one that is cheaper than the low level tender of $1.907MM.

The running back originally joined the Lions as an undrafted rookie free agent out of South Dakota State in 2015. In eight games last season, he had 14 carries for 26 yards and one touchdown. He saw the most action of his career in 2016 when he ran for 334 yards off of 88 carries (just 3.8 yards per attempt) and four touchdowns. He also added 18 catches for 196 yards.

The Lions are widely expected to add to their running back group, though they did not sign a new RB in the first couple days of free agency. For now, Ameer Abdullah profiles as Detroit’s top runner with Theo Riddick, Tion Green, and Dwayne Washington in support.

Contract Details: Lotulelei, Bradham, Lewis

March 15th, 2018 at 8:49pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Let’s take a look at the details from the latest contracts signed in the NFL:

Ricky Jean-Francois Visits Lions

March 15th, 2018 at 5:47pm CST by Ben Levine

Matt Patricia is looking to add some of his former Patriots defenders. ESPN’s Field Yates reports (via Twitter) that defensive lineman Ricky Jean-Francois visited with the Lions earlier today.

While Detroit’s new head coach may have interest in the defender, it doesn’t sound like New England is interested in retaining him. We heard last week that the Patriots likely wouldn’t be re-signing the 31-year-old.

The 2009 seventh-round pick was cut twice by the Packers last year before landing with New England. The Patriots also released him, but he quickly re-signed and remained with the club through their trip to the Super Bowl. The nine-year veteran ultimately finished the season with 10 tackles in six games for New England (he had another two tackles in six games with Green Bay).

Last week, the free agent said he was hoping his improvement in New England may help him generate some suitors this offseason.

“I plan on continuing to play at the highest level,” Jean-Francois said in a statement released through his PF agency (Twitter link via ESPN.com’s Mike Reiss). “Hopefully I made a strong case for myself this past season. I did absolutely everything I could to help the Patriots during my short time there, and I learned that playbook immediately. It takes a special type of player and discipline to do that so quickly. My priority right now is to find a stable home where I can step in and make a similar impact for a few more seasons before I ride off into the sunset.”

Lions Sign G Kenny Wiggins

March 15th, 2018 at 4:32pm CST by Zachary Links

The Lions have signed offensive lineman Kenny Wiggins. Wiggins is listed as a guard in the press release, which is undoubtedly to the delight of the former Charger. 

Wiggins, who has experience at all five offensive line positions, was vocal about his desire to play solely at guard.

“I’ve always said the more you can do, the less you get paid,” Wiggins said in January. “It’s the truth. You’ve got to be able to play in one spot and play it well. If you can play a bunch of spots but you play them mediocre, then you’re not going to get paid. Me playing every game at guard and locking down the spot, and being able to show people that I can be an everyday starter — go out there, stay healthy and be a contributor on our line — I think that speaks volumes.”

Wiggins wound up starting at right guard last season for the Chargers due to injuries. He played played 999 snaps, good for second-highest on the Bolts’ offensive line. As a whole, the Chargers’ offensive line performed well, allowing a league-low 18 sacks as Melvin Gordon topped 1,100 rushing yards.

For what it’s worth, the advanced numbers weren’t fond of Wiggins’ play. Pro Football Focus rated him as just the 74th ranked guard in the league out of 82 qualified players.

As shown on Roster Resource, there could be an opening for Wiggins to start at one guard spot with T.J. Lang at the other. However, if the Lions wind up signing Matt Slauson after his visit, Wiggins may wind up either as a reserve.

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