Detroit Lions: Ranking the team’s top 2018 offseason additions

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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – DECEMBER 6: Luke Willson #82 of the Seattle Seahawks avoids a tackle by Sharrif Floyd #73 of the Minnesota Vikings during the first quarter of the game on December 6, 2015 at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

5. Luke Willson, TE (from Seattle Seahawks)

Four years ago, the Detroit Lions used the 10th overall selection in the 2014 NFL Draft to secure the services of Univesity of North Carolina tight end Eric Ebron. The 6-4, 250-pound performer seemed like somewhat of a reach being selected that high, at least according to some. But the bottom line was that the talented weapon had the potential to give quarterback Matthew Stafford a big-play performer at another position.

But Ebron’s four-year stay with the club was somewhat underwhelming. He played a total of 56 regular-season contests and finished with only 186 catches, good for 2,070 yards and a disappointing 11 touchdowns. The Lions parted ways with the former Tar Heel this offseason and he wound up latching on with the Indianapolis Colts.

General manager Bob Quinn has actually added a pair of tight ends in free agency. More recently, Detroit grabbed Levine Toilolo after he was cut loose by the Atlanta Falcons. The focus here is on Luke Willson, who spent the previous five seasons in the Pacific Northwest with Pete Carroll’s Seattle Seahawks. The 2013 fifth-round pick from Rice University doesn’t have overwhelming career receiving numbers — totaling 89 catches for 1,129 yards and 11 scores. But he’s a more-than-adequate blocker and someone who could be a bigger factor in this Lions’ attack.

Next: No. 4

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