Detroit Lions: 3 free agent wide receivers to consider signing
By Bob Heyrman
Demaryius Thomas
It’s a player that is firmly ‘over the hill’ but has the potential to play a vital role with the Detroit Lions.
Demaryius Thomas turns 33-years old on Christmas day. He’s steadily on the back-nine of his career, but he could bring something the Lions desperately need to this lineup. Size. Thomas is a 6-foot-3, 225-pound veteran receiver who could not only serve as a capable red-zone threat along with a reliable outside receiver if something were to happen to either Marvin Jones or Kenny Golladay.
Aside from Kenny Golladay, one thing the Lions lack is size. Thomas can play inside or out if needed but could be a valuable depth veteran outside threat for Stafford and company.
Thomas brings more of that Super Bowl pedigree; he’s a leader, he’s worn the captain’s ‘C’ on his jersey with both the Denver Broncos and New York Jets. He’d be a perfect fit in Detroit’s film room, aiding younger players like Cephus, Agnew, Hall, and even Golladay.
After being shipped out of New England last season, Thomas compiled 433 yards on 33 receptions while scoring just one touchdown in 11 games with the Jets. The Jets proved to be a perfect fit for Thomas despite his lackluster stats due to his familiarity with his head coach Adam Gase. Gase had been the Broncos offensive coordinator, where Thomas established five spectacular seasons and won a Super Bowl while having the great Payton Manning delivering the football.
Over his ten-year career, Thomas has made 724 grabs totaling 9,763 yards and 63 touchdowns.