Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Golden Tate (81) celebrates after beating the Denver Broncos 43-8 in Super Bowl XLVIII at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
The Detroit Lions two biggest needs this offseason are at the safety and wide receiver positions, and they are expected to address both positions through free agency and the draft. Wide receiver might be the bigger of the two needs, even if they have a black hole at free safety following the release of Louis Delmas. Although the Lions haven’t extended Ndamukong Suh’s deal and reduced his cap hit this offseason, they still have enough space to go after a couple of upgrades. Strong safety T.J. Ward is the dream signing, but it might be more realistic for the Lions to go after a couple of solid guys to fill the needs on their roster.
The NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports that the Detroit Lions have interest in Seattle Seahawks impending free agent Golden Tate, and I think he would be a magnificent signing for Martin Mayhew and the Lions organization. Tate is one of the top free agent wide receivers on the open market, and I think he’s one of the most underrated free agents and one of the most underrated WRs in the game. The Seahawks need to do whatever they can to re-sign him after Michael Bennett gave the team a discount on his deal, and other teams with a need at WR should go hard after Tate.
I think Tate could blossom into a true star on an offense that actually passes the ball more frequently, and the Lions certainly fit the bill. Tate would also be the perfect complement to superstar Calvin Johnson, and they would give Matthew Stafford an amazing WR duo to pass it to. The Steve Smith-esque wideout is tough, fast, incredibly agile, has great hops, is a willing blocker, and he has a set of very sure hands.