The Lions are adding a third former UFL player ahead of training camp, and he has a real shot to make it in Detroit
Detroit Lions add another UFL standout. The team’s seventh former UFL player joins a crowded receiver competition, but his size, production, and special teams value could give him a legitimate shot to stick.
The Lions are adding a third former UFL player ahead of training camp, and he has a real shot to make it in Detroit
Detroit Lions add another UFL standout. The team’s seventh former UFL player joins a crowded receiver competition, but his size, production, and special teams value could give him a legitimate shot to stick.
The Detroit Lions sure do love them some UFL talent.
On Tuesday, they signed receivers Lucky Jackson and Tarik Black. That brought the total to six former UFL players on their roster, with Jake Bates, Jacob Saylors, Nick Whiteside, and Thomas Gordon being the others. Now you can make it seven.
The Lions have signed receiver Tay Martin and moved Kendrick Law to injured reserve
Martin is a long, athletic receiver who can stretch the field vertically, but what stands out most is that he’s fought for every opportunity he’s gotten. Martin bounced around with the 49ers, Titans, and Commanders before putting together a productive season in the UFL, where he hauled in 42 catches for 483 yards and showed he could be a reliable target.
At 6-foot-3, he gives the Lions another bigger-bodied receiver who can win downfield and compete in contested-catch situations, while also bringing special teams value. He’s not going to challenge Amon-Ra St. Brown or Jameson Williams for snaps, and he’s going to have to fight with the other two new guys and the four guys who were already here, but he’s absolutely the type of player who can push for a practice squad spot, make some noise in the preseason, and force the Lions to take a long look at keeping him around.
Law is heading to season-ending IR after tearing his ACL during OTAs. The Lions are taking their receiver competition very seriously right now, and at camp, we’re likely to figure out why. The Lions are set with St. Brown, Williams, Isaac TeSlaa, and Greg Dortch. It’s all going to come down to who can give the Lions the most special teams value beyond that. Martin might have a real shot.
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