Detroit Lions in best position to sign Darrius Heyward-Bey?

Although speed demon Darrius Heyward-Bey left both of his visits with the Detroit Lions and Indianapolis Colts without a contract, Heyward-Bey sounds high on the Lions following his visit there yesterday. The Lions seem to have significantly more interest in Heyward-Bey than the Colts, and I have a feeling the Lions are also willing to spend more on him than the Colts are.

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According to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press, Darrius Heyward-Bey had this to say following the visit, “It’s very appealing. No. 1 he’s a great guy. I’ve known him since we were coming out in the draft. And just the ability for him to throw the ball and how smart he is. Coach lets him do his thing back there.”

Heyward-Bey is, of course, referencing Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford, who would greatly benefit from the addition of a vertical threat to the Lions offense. With Titus Young gone and Ryan Broyles injured, the Lions could certainly use another receiver to more than add into the mix. While he won’t have a huge role in the offense, Heyward-Bey will start across from Calvin Johnson (something that will undoubtedly benefit the former Oakland Raiders first-rounder) and should receive frequent targets in Broyles’s absence.

Last season, he caught 41 passes for 606 yards and five touchdowns, and it is important to note that he averaged nearly 15 yards per reception. Heyward-Bey would fit both the vertical passing styles that the Lions and Colts implement, but it sounds like the Lions are “very appealing” and in the best position to sign Heyward-Bey.

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