The Detroit Lions announced that they have signed five players from their 2020 practice squad to 2021 futures contracts including wide receiver Tom Kennedy, wide receiver Victor Bolden, interior offensive lineman Evan Brown, linebacker Anthony Pittman, and safety Jalen Elliott.
Futures contracts are typically for the league minimum with no guarantees and they allow younger players to be offered an early spot on a team’s 90-man roster. As an incentive for teams to sign these players, the NFL does not count their salary towards the team’s salary cap until the league’s new year begins — in March when the unrestricted free agency period opens.
While the Lions have signed five players to futures deals, they are not necessarily finished adding players in this manner. The Lions can add as many futures contracts as they desire — as long as they don’t exceed the 90-man roster limit — and they have several players who were with the team in 2020 who qualify.
With slot receivers Danny Amendola and Jamal Agnew’s contracts expired, the Lions didn’t have any slot receivers on their current roster. Kennedy, who has been with the Lions for the last two seasons, and Bolden give the Lions inexpensive depth options with upside at the position.
Brown was promoted from the Lions practice squad each of the last two weeks and found his way on the field due to injuries in both games. He has played in 11 games over his career and is a depth option that can play all three interior spots.
Pittman is a hybrid linebacker who has been with the organization the last two seasons. He is built like an off-the-ball linebacker but was used as a JACK linebacker when he saw the field in 2019. His athleticism and versatility should help him adapt to the new defensive scheme.
Elliott was an undrafted free agent last season and has some positional range at safety. He is not at the athletic level of the Lions’ other safeties, but he is intelligent and has a nose for the ball.
More Futures options from Lions 2020 team include:
Jordan Ta'amu, QB
Kerrith Whyte, RB
Jordan Scarlett, RB
Dalyn Dawkins, RB
Jerell Adams, TE
Jon Toth, C
Albert Huggins, DT
Kareem Martin, EDGE
Alex Myers, CB
Josh Hawkins, CB
Tramaine Brock, CB
Steve Wirtel, LS
Arryn Siposs, P https://t.co/00Y3HHjjVn— Erik Schlitt (@erikschlitt) January 5, 2021
