Detroit Lions: Top 5 offseason additions, post 2018 NFL Draft

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SEATTLE, WA – NOVEMBER 20: Tight end Luke Willson #82 of the Seattle Seahawks rushes against strong safety Keanu Neal #22 of the Atlanta Falcons during the third quarter of the game at CenturyLink Field on November 20, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr /Getty Images) /

4. Luke Willson, TE (from Seattle Seahawks)

With the offseason decision to part ways with former first-round pick Eric Ebron, the Detroit Lions were in search of help at the tight end positon. The 10th overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft wound up with a just 186 receptions, 11 for touchdowns, in four seasons in the Motor City. In 2017, general manager Bob Quinn had decided to pick up the fifth-year option on the former University of North Carolina standout. But there was a change of heart, Ebron was released and is now a member of the Indianapolis Colts.

Luke Willson spent the first five years of his NFL career with the Seattle Seahawks. A fifth-round pick in 2013 from Rice University, the 28-year old pro managed only 89 receptions for 1,129 yards and 11 scores in his days with Pete Carroll’s team and was a member of two Super Bowl squads. He’s never caught more than 22 passes in any season but does come off a year in which he totaled a career-best four touchdown grabs.

Willson joins another free-agent addition in former Atlanta Falcons tight end Levine Toilolo. He can be an asset as a blocker and receiver as well. But Willson will get a chance to stand out with quarterback Matthew Stafford and in coordinator Jim Bob Cooter’s offense. And it won’t be a surprise when the five-year pro posts career numbers this fall.

Next: No. 3

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