Detroit Lions: 5 Free agents to sign before training camp
By Samuel Teets
4. Jordan Reed, TE
Jordan Reed‘s lengthy injury history could scare off any team. His recent battle with repeated concussions even has some fans wondering if he should never play football again. The former Pro Bowl tight end landed on injured reserve for the third consecutive year last season before he could even take a regular-season snap. Reed’s career might be over, but he’s still an incredibly talented player.
A gifted pass-catcher made in the same mold as Trey Burton and Evan Engram, Reed became one of the NFL’s best tight ends toward the middle of the decade. Unfortunately, injuries stole 29 games from him over the past three years. However, Reed could add a new dynamic to Detroit’s offense. He brings different skills to the table than T.J. Hockenson or Jesse James.
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Detroit might feel comfortable with their current depth at tight end, especially since they added Washington’s Hunter Bryant as an undrafted free agent. However, the team could also look into other veterans like Charles Clay, Darren Fells, or Delanie Walker.
3. Marcell Dareus, DT
Six years ago, Marcell Dareus was one of the best defensive tackles in the NFL. He made Pro Bowls in 2013 and 2014, while also earning a First-Team All-Pro selection in 2014. However, the former third overall pick hit a wall in his fifth season and never recovered.
During the 2017 season, Buffalo traded Dareus to Jacksonville, where he spent the last two and a half years. During his 30 appearances with the Jaguars, Dareus tallied 2.5 sacks and 45 tackles. He only appeared in six games this past season before landing on injured reserve with a core-muscle injury.
Buffalo made the foolish move of signing Dareus to a six-year, $96.5 million deal in 2015. Jacksonville restructured the contract last year, leaving it at two-years for $28.085 million. When the Jaguars declined the option for the final year on Dareus’ deal in February, the team cleared $20 million in cap space.
Dareus won’t command another significant contract during his declining NFL career. Instead, Detroit can get him on a cheap, short-term deal that lasts until they find his eventual replacement. The Lions already signed New England’s Danny Shelton in free agency. Signing Dareus could close off all running lanes in the middle of the field.