For a team like the Detroit Lions who backed into the playoffs and didn’t stay there long, NFL free agency is a chance to plug up some obvious holes to prepare for a longer run in 2017.
The Lions may not be able to beat the Green Bay Packers on the field, but they beat them to the punch in free agency, signing former Pack guard T.J. Lang to a free agent contract. The deal with Lang is for three seasons and the financial details haven’t been disclosed.
.@TJLang70 agrees to a 3-year deal with the @Lions. pic.twitter.com/4mBINbNFo1
— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) March 12, 2017
Lang will join a new right side of the Lions’ line after the team signed right tackle Ricky Wagner away from the Minnesota Vikings on a five-year, $47.5 million contract.
On defense, the Lions added defensive tackle Akeem Spence from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, defensive tackle Cornelius Washington from the Chicago Bears and linebacker Paul Worrilow from the Atlanta Falcons. Spence got a three-year, $9 million deal. Last year Spence started four games for the Bucs, but played in all 16, recording 19 tackles and half a sack.
Washington’s contract is for two years and $6 million. Last year he started two games for the Bears, but played in 15 recording 20 tackles and two sacks.
Worrilow’s contract is for one year with no financial details yet. He started one game for the Falcons in 2016 and played in 12, recording 18 tackles, recovering two fumbles and defending two passes. It was a steep decline for Worrilow who battled injuries all season. Before last yearn Worrilow averaged over 100 tackles a season and started in every game he was healthy.
Lions agree to terms with ex-Falcons LB Paul Worrilow @Justin_Rogershttps://t.co/CVaHvWfRAI pic.twitter.com/V7mSIX7Piz
— The Detroit News (@detroitnews) March 9, 2017
The Lions re-signed defensive tackle Khyri Thornton with a two-year, $3.3 million deal. Thornton started six games for Detroit, recording 19 tackles and a sack.
In the defensive backfield, the Lions picked up cornerback D.J. Hayden from the Oakland Raiders with a one-year, $5.25 million contract. Hayden started two games for the Raiders and played in 11, recording 37 tackles, six pass defenses and a forced fumble.
On offense, former New York Giants tight end Daniel Fells joins the team on a one-year, $950,000 contract. Fells never played a down last season for the Arizona Cardinals as he was still recovering from a staph infection he got after surgery.
The Lions also added wide receiver Keshawn Martin from the San Francisco 49ers. Martin played in just one game last season as a kick returner for the Niners.
Other NFL free agency moves
The New York Giants have signed former Los Angeles Charges offensive guard D.J. Fluker to a one-year contract.
We'll always have your body slam of Sio Moore, DJ Fluker pic.twitter.com/Ydem1HH4s7
— Aaron Nagler (@AaronNagler) March 7, 2017
The New York Jets have reached a three-year, $24 million contract with former Jacksonville Jaguars left tackle Kelvin Beachum.
The Oakland Raiders have bolstered their offensive line by signing former New York Giants right tackle Marshall Newhouse to a two-year, $3.5 million deal.
David Johnson will remain with the Pittsburgh Steelers after the tight end re-signed with a two-year, $2.05 million deal. Johnson played in all 16 games with Pittsburgh last season and started four. He caught seven passes for 80 yards. The Steelers also cut running back Karlos Williams. Williams never played a down in 2016.
The San Francisco 49ers added Seattle Seahawks backup linebacker Brock Coyle to their roster. Financial details have not yet become available. Last year Coyle started three games for the Seahawks and played in 12. He recorded 15 tackles and one sack.
BREAKING: The #49ers have agreed to terms with QB Matt Barkley, LB Brock Coyle and WR Aldrick Robinson.
DETAILS: https://t.co/bsCFoMqlEj pic.twitter.com/Wce5wXme8w
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) March 11, 2017
The Indianapolis Colts added punter Jeff Locke to the roster. The spot came open after former Pro Bowl kicker Pat MacCaffey retired a few months ago.
The Jacksonville Jaguars have released defensive tackle Roy Miller. Miller started and played in six games last season, recording 10 tackles.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have re-signed defensive back Josh Robinson with a two-year, $6.5 million contract and defensive tackle Sealver Siliga with a one-year deal. Robinson appeared in all 16 games for the Bucs last season on special teams. Siliga had 10 tackles and a sack last season.
Breaking: Buccaneers re-sign DT Sealver Siliga, have now re-signed four of the 17 players that were set top hit free-agency. #GoBucs pic.twitter.com/hTVpBeiaco
— Buccaneers SPORTalk (@SPORTalkBucs) March 11, 2017
The Kansas City Chiefs kept safety Daniel Sorensen, re-signing him with a four-year, $16 million deal. Sorensen recorded 54 tackles, two forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, three interceptions and one defensive touchdown last season.
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