Detroit Lions Free Agency: Team Checking on Tight Ends

After making a big splash by agreeing to terms with right tackle Ricky Wager, it appears the Lions are turning their sights on a tight end.

The Detroit Lions made one of the biggest early splashes of NFL free agency today when reports broke that they had agreed to terms with right tackle Ricky Wagner. With that order of business out of the way, the latest report has the Lions checking in on the tight end market.

Jason La Canfora tweeted the following.

It’s not clear if Jared Cool and/or Martellus Bennett would be included in the group of tight ends the Lions are checking out but the report would seem to indicate not. Especially after making a splash with Wagner, that could mean the Lions are looking at the next tier or tiers of free agent tight ends.

That could include someone like Dion Sims, who played at Michigan State before being drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the fourth round of the 2013 NFL Draft. Levine Toilolo, most recently with the Atlanta Falcons, is another big-bodied tight end that could be an interesting addition for the Lions, although he may not bring as much in the way of pass catching as the Lions would like.

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The Lions were reportedly quite interested in tight ends at the combine as well, a sure indication feel they have a need to fill at the position this offseason. That makes sense given the lack of depth behind Eric Ebron and Ebron’s ineffectiveness as a blocker.