Detroit Lions add veteran depth receiver Geronimo Allison
By Bob Heyrman
The Detroit Lions added some wide receiver depth from their NFC North rival Green Bay Packers. It’s a low-risk signing that has the potential to work out well for Detroit.
It was an abysmal year for 26-year-old receiver Geronimo Allison last season with the Green Bay Packers. Allison showed plenty of promise in 2018 recording 303 yards on 20 catches. Allison was targeted a total of 30 times, producing a catch rate of 67%, scoring 2 touchdowns in just five games played. Allison may not even last with the Detroit Lions through training camp, but he will have a fair shot at making this roster as the team’s fifth receiver heading into the 2020 NFL season.
Last season in Green Bay, Allison recorded just 34 receptions totaling 287 yards and two touchdowns. That production similar to his 2018 season, but in ’19 he played in 16 games. His 8.4 yards per reception were the lowest of his career.
The Packers were without star receiver Davante Adams for four games last season, leaving plenty of opportunities for others to emerge. It was Allen Lazard who benefitted most recording 35 catches for 477 yards good for second on the team. Running back Aaron Jones, receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling, and tight end Jimmy Graham all produced more receiving yardage than Allison.
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The Packers have since signed former Michigan Wolverines receiver Devin Funchess this offseason to be their second receiver on the depth chart behind Adams for 2020. It’s still a group of pass-catchers that lack top-tier talent aside from Adams, but Funchess gives Aaron Rodgers an additional much-needed target in the redzone.
It’s good news for the Detroit Lions, although the team has a pair of premier pass-catchers at the top of their depth chart, adding a veteran like Allison to be the teams’ fourth or fifth receiver adds plenty of depth to the group.
Allison is an above-average run-blocker earning over 600 offensive snaps good for second of the Packer receiving corps.
The Detroit Lions have stand-outs Kenny Golladay and Marvin Jones, both entering the final year of their current deals at the top of the depth chart. Starting slot receiver Danny Amendola signed a one-year deal this past Winter to remain in Detroit and is nearing the end of his career.
That leaves deep ball specialist Marvin Hall, second-year receiver Travis Fulgham, Chris Lacy, along with Allison to compete for a final roster spot this summer. Hall proved his worth last season to be a fourth or fifth option, likely leaving the others to compete for the fifth spot.
dark. Next. Three free agents left for Bob Quinn to sign
The Detroit Lions may also decide to add a rookie through the draft that is receiver rich to also compete for a final roster spot. Allison signed a one-year, $910,000 deal to join Detroit. He will be hungry to prove he belongs; it’s a move that comes with little risk and a no-brainer for the General Manager Bob Quinn and the Lions.