The Detroit Lions have a desperate thirst for tight end help. Right now the only TE on the roster is Michael Roberts, who has just 13 receptions in two seasons.
A potential solution from a familiar face has emerged: Darren Fells.
The 32-year-old blocking tight end is set to be released by the Cleveland Browns after one season. He signed a 3-year, $12 million contract last offseason to join the Browns, but Cleveland couldn’t justify paying $4 million for 11 catches and 117 yards once again.
Fells was with the Lions in 2017, starting 13 games in his one year in Detroit. The former professional basketball player caught 17 passes for 177 yards and 3 TDs, not bad figures for an inline blocking specialist. Fells finished in the top 20 tight end blocking grades from Pro Football Focus in his one season with the Lions.
Now free once again, Fells’ familiarity with Matthew Stafford should be attractive to the Lions to have him help fill one of the openings at tight end.
