| Detroit Free Press
Detroit Lions GM hire analysis: Is Brad Holmes the right choice?
Free Press reporters Carlos Monarrez and Dave Birkett discuss and debate Detroit Lions decision to hire Brad Holmes as general manager, Jan. 14, 2021.
Dave Birkett and Carlos Monarrez, Detroit Free Press
The Detroit Lions have signed eight players to reserve/futures deals this month, including five who spent time on the practice squad during the 2020 season.
Here is a look at the signings:
WR Victor Bolden: With the additions of Bolden and fellow futures signee Tom Kennedy, the Lions now have four receivers under contract for 2021. There are lots of changes ahead, but Bolden at least gives them a familiar face at the position. He spent time on the practice squad in 2019-20 and has played in 15 games in his career with three teams.
OL Evan Brown: Brown played 44 snaps late in the season as the Lions were dealing with injuries on their offensive line. He can play center or guard and has spent time with three other teams — the Miami Dolphins, Cleveland Browns and New York Giants since 2018.
S Jalen Elliott: Elliott signed with the Lions last spring as an undrafted rookie out of Notre Dame. He missed the start of training camp while on the reserve/COVID-19 list and did a second stint on the list in November. A three-year starter at Notre Dame, he had six interceptions in college.
DB Godwin Igwebuike: Igwebuike is on his fifth NFL team since going undrafted out of Northwestern in 2018. He had 21 tackles and one interception with the Seattle Dragons of the XFL last winter, then spent the fall out of football. He’s played safety most of his career.
WR Tom Kennedy: A former professional lacrosse player, Kennedy is back for his third season with the Lions. He played in one game in 2019 after spending most of the year on the practice squad, but never got a 53-man call-up in 2020. With Danny Amendola potentially headed for retirement, the Lions have a need for a slot receiver.
DE Robert McCray: McCray had six sacks in his final season at Indiana and has bounced around the NFL the last three years. He signed with the Kansas City Chiefs as a free agent in 2018, spent part of 2019 on the Browns’ practice squad and was waived by the Browns out of training camp last September.
LB Anthony Pittman: Pittman has drawn interest from the Las Vegas Raiders the last two seasons, but chose to re-sign with the Lions despite uncertainty about what defense they will run in 2021. He played in one game in 2019 after playing collegiately at Wayne State.
TE Hunter Thedford: Thedford started his college career at SMU as a defensive end and finished it playing tight end at Utah. He did not play this season. In high school, he played six-man football before transferring schools.
Contact Dave Birkett at dbirkett@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @davebirkett.