According to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, — and later confirmed by ESPN’s Adam Schefter — the Detroit Lions continue to stay active on the first day of free agency tampering, this time signing former Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Jesse James.
James is a balanced tight end, coming off career high’s in the passing game, but his best attribute is his blocking. At 6-7, 261-pounds, James will slide right into the Levine Toilolo/Darren Fells role, as a weekly blocking tight end who will give you a game or two a season where he breaks out as a receiver.
“James has 36 starts over the last four seasons,” said Curt Popejoy of Steelers Wire. “He has 120 receptions for his career, with career-best of 43 in 2017. We’ve always felt James was underutilized in the Steelers offense, and if he thinks that too, he might want a fresh start.”
The addition of James gives the Lions two solid blocking tight ends — along with Michael Roberts — who are capable of being schemed open in the passing game. The Lions likely aren’t done looking to add to the position and could be targeting a tight end capable of stretching the seam in the draft.
