The Detroit Lions appear to have their replacement for recently-released tight end Eric Ebron all locked up. Former Seattle Seahawks tight end Luke Willson has agreed to a one-year deal worth $2.5 million, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
The Lions are signing former Seahawks TE Luke Willson to a 1-year deal worth $2.5M, source said, with some upside potential in his deal.
Willson, 28, is a former fifth-round pick by the Seahawks back in 2013. He played all 16 games for the Seahawks last season but was once again not much of a factor in the receiving game. Over the last three years, Willson has had just 47 catches for 495 receiving yards and seven touchdowns. Although, he did set a new career-high with four receiving scores in 2017.
Wilson made his name in Seattle more with his run blocking than his receiving, so he doesn’t figure to make up for Ebron’s production as a pass-catcher. Still, the Lions can definitely do with his blocking as they look to improve a ground game which has been subpar for some time now.
Willson provides the Seahawks with some much-needed experience at the position. Detroit was previously well short of experienced tight ends on the roster, with Brandon Barnes, Michael Roberts, and Hakeem Valles the other three players on the depth chart.
The Lions will likely look to add another veteran tight end this offseason to back up Willson. Given Willson’s limitations as a pass-catcher, they could do with targeting a tight end who can offer a bit more as a receiving weapon for quarterback Matthew Stafford.
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