Detroit Lions sign tight end Levine Toilolo to a one-year deal
By Ash Thompson
The Detroit Lions have signed tight end Levine Toilolo. he signed a one year contract. The team did not release terms. He will compete for a blocking role.
Tight end Levine Toilolo is a five-year veteran known for his blocking acumen who has spent his entire career thus far with the Atlanta Falcons. He has been the Falcons primary blocking tight end during a period where their offense has been very good running the ball.
As a receiver Toilolo does not bring a great deal to the table. Think of a less athletic version of Joseph Fauaria. Toilolo was forced into that role during the 2014 season when the Falcons failed to bring in a replacement for Tony Gonzalez. On 940 snaps that year Toilolo managed 31 receptions and two touchdowns. He has 32 receptions in the three years since. This is not a player that is going to replace Eric Ebron, but he provides insurance. The Lions would prefer that Michael Roberts steps into the blocking tight end role. His performance in 2016 left many wondering if that was likely.
Lions head coach Matt Patricia said at the owner’s meetings that the Lions biggest need left in free agency was at the tight end position. He said they would add a body to the room, Levine Toilolo definitely fits the bill. at 6’8″ and 280 lbs he is one of the biggest bodies at the tight end position in the NFL.
The quality of the player the Lions just picked up depends on who you talk to. All agree that he brings virtually nothing to the table as a receiver. His lack of athleticism, speed, jumping, or quickness, makes it impossible to create separation. If he is open it is because the other team has not bothered to cover him. Because of his lack of athleticism, however, other teams will never focus their coverage on him. He does sneak out of the scrum on play-action for a couple touchdowns a year.
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This is not a player that will drastically affect the Lions draft plans. The Lions most likely draft target at the position is a receiving tight end. Toilolo could not be farther from that.