If Lions fans have heard of Tommylee Lewis, it’s likely from the NFC Championship game. He was the Saints receiver who was interfered with by Rams CB Nickell Robey-Coleman in the red zone on the infamous play where no penalty was thrown, allowing the Rams to beat New Orleans and advance to the Super Bowl.
Now Lewis is a Lion. The 26-year-old signed with Detroit after not being tendered as a restricted free agent by the Saints.
What are the Lions getting with the uniquely named Lewis?
The first thing anyone notices about Lewis is his size…or lack thereof. He’s listed at 5-foot-7 and 168 pounds but both of those seem generous when you meet him in person. When he stands next to former Northern Illinois teammate Kenny Golladay, it might look like Schwarzenegger and DeVito in “Twins”.
That interplay with Golladay that impressed in the MAC back in 2015 offers a hint of what can happen in Detroit, too.
Lewis is almost exclusively a slot receiver. Aside from the obvious size issue, he’s almost not incredibly fast in open space. He thrives on quickness, having smaller steps and turn radius than those guarding him.
In New Orleans he caught just 20 passes in three seasons as a part-time reserve. He’s such a small target and his routes don’t have the precision of fellow Detroit newcomer Danny Amendola, who is both bigger and more physical in the slot.
Where Lewis earned his roster spot in New Orleans was on special teams, primarily as a punt returner. It’s there where his ability to accelerate and operate in space really shine. He does have that “chase” gear with the ball in his hands, making his timed 4.45-second 40-yard dash seem oddly slow.
Durability will be an issue. He missed more than half of 2018 on IR. I attended two Northern Illinois games during his college career, in separate seasons. He missed both with different injuries.
Lewis figures to take over the No. 2 slot receiver role behind Amendola as well as emerge as Detroit’s primary punt returner and perhaps kick returner. He’s battle Brandon Powell for the receiving reps, though Lewis is both faster and quicker out of breaks. It’s a low-risk, low-expectations signing that builds some depth with NFL experience at what is perhaps the Lions’ weakest position.
