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Detroit Lions: Top Five Free Agent Wide Receivers they should Consider

By Bob Heyrman

ARLINGTON, TX - NOVEMBER 24: Dez Bryant #88 of the Dallas Cowboys warms up on the field prior to the game against the Washington Redskins at AT&T Stadium on November 24, 2016 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX - NOVEMBER 24: Dez Bryant #88 of the Dallas Cowboys warms up on the field prior to the game against the Washington Redskins at AT&T Stadium on November 24, 2016 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /
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I don’t know why, but there is a common theme here. Bruce Ellington, a 28-year-old former San Fransico 49ers wide-out is currently a free agent. Ellington was drafted by the 49ers 106th overall in the 4th round of the 2014 NFL draft.

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Ellington spent some time with the Detroit Lions last season starting in two games, playing in four total games.  With the Lions, he recorded 132 yards on 23 catches.  The Philadelphia Eagles recently hosted the former Lion for a workout so if he’s on the list of potential players the team is interested in they should act fast.

Bruce isn’t the best option available, but he’d be a cheap priced player that is somewhat familiar with quarterback Matthew Stafford.  The Lions have wholly changed their offense, so it’s not as though he could step right in like he’d never left.  He would need to learn Darrell Bevell’s new offense just as the other free-agent options.

Bruce Ellington, unlike the other options we spoke about could be a valuable contributor on special teams.  He’s a player that is fitted to return punts or kickoffs.  He’s able to work out of the slot on offense or as an outside receiver. Although he doesn’t own a resume like the others, his flexibility makes him a decent option.  Plus Matt Patricia and Stafford know what they are getting from him having seen him last season.

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Ellington’s catch rate last season was a mountainous 73.8% of his targets. Although he didn’t provide anything in the return game last year, he was primarily a returner for the first of his two NFL seasons in San Fran.  He averaged 8.2/7.2 yards per punt return in two seasons with the 49ers.  He could be a valuable backup to Jamal Agnew if something were to happen to the Pro Bowl returner.

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