The Detroit Lions are expected to have a mass exodus of wide receivers later this month. That is due to the bulk of their depth chart being scheduled to hit free agency.
The Lions have negated that loss a bit on Wednesday with the report that the team has agreed to terms with former Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver, Tyrell Williams, on a one-year deal. His pending contract is worth up to $6.2 million according to ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter.
The reported move reunites Williams with this former head coach, Anthony Lynn, who was recently hired to become the offensive coordinator in Detroit. The 29-year old wideout originally went undrafted out of Western Oregon back in 2015.
Williams signed with the San Diego Chargers as a rookie, posting 69 receptions for 1,059 yards and seven touchdowns as a 16-game starter in his second season for the Bolts. Lynn would be hired as head coach for the Chargers during their move to Los Angeles in 2017 and Williams would play under him for two seasons.
In 2019, Williams inked a massive four-year, $44 million contract to join the Oakland Raiders. In his first season, he’d recorded 42 receptions for 651 yards and six scores.
Unfortunately, a shoulder injury forced Williams to miss all of last season and the Raiders surprisingly released him last month. The Lions seemed like a possible landing spot due to the presence of Lynn as the new OC in Motown.
In Williams, the Lions are getting a massive 6-foot-4, 205-pound veteran wide receiver who has started 49 NFL games over his first five seasons in the league. His presence should help offset the loss of veterans like Marvin Jones, Jr. and Danny Amendola who are slated to hit the open market later this month.
If the Detroit Lions opt to re-sign or use the franchise tag to retain Kenny Golladay, the addition of Tyrell Williams could give the new passing offense in the Motor City a nice one-two punch along with star tight end T.J. Hockenson, who’s coming off his first Pro Bowl nod in 2020. If the team doesn’t retain Golladay, Williams is in position to assume the number one receiver role alongside second-year wideout, Quintez Cephus, and veteran Geronimo Allison.