The Detroit Lions have announced the signing of slot receiver and returner Tommylee Lewis to an undisclosed contract, formerly of the New Orleans Saints.
“Lewis joins the Lions after spending the first three seasons (2016-18) of his career with the New Orleans Saints,” the Lions said in a press release. “In 34 career games (four starts), Lewis has posted 20 receptions for 252 receiving yards (12.6 avg.) and two touchdowns, 36 punt returns for 335 yards (9.3 avg.) and 24 kickoff returns for 528 yards (22.0 avg.).”
The slot receiver and kick/punt returner visited the Lions earlier in the week when Lions Wire’s Jeff Risdon pointed out that “The 26-year-old Northern Illinois product is probably best-known for being the receiver who was interfered with in the NFC Championship game but no flag was thrown.”
Lewis will offer the Lions insurance behind Jamal Agnew in the return game, as well as in the slot behind Danny Amendola and he will most likely directly challenge Brandon Powell for a fourth or fifth wide receiver role. With Andy Jones currently projected to also be in the mix.
This is a nice addition for the Lions as it will push current players on the roster for their roles, but with no contract details yet released, he will likely still end up fighting for a job in training camp.
Additionally, this move shouldn’t preclude the Lions from adding to the wide receiver position in the draft, but with depth in the slot, it will now allow the Lions the option to address their depth at the vertical receivers positions on the outside.
