The Detroit Lions have been in the market for a No. 2 wide receiver. The team has the all-mighty Calvin Johnson to be their top performer, but they need someone to run alongside him. The Lions thought they had that in Titus Young, but that experiment failed. Nate Burleson has been released and Ryan Broyles is recovering from another serious injury. So who is left for the team to target?
ESPN's Adam Schefter is reporting that former Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Golden Tate is meeting with the team after free agency started on Tuesday. The wide receiver is reportedly already in Detroit as the Lions get first crack at the market for Tate. The receiver was a solid player for Seattle and would fit in perfectly with Matthew Stafford. He put up 898 yards and five touchdowns last season while replacing the injured Percy Harvin. He could put up even more in the pass-first offense Detroit operates under.
The Lions need a No. 2 guy desperately so Detroit could be the only visit Tate makes in free agency. The issue will come down to contract size. The market has been set for players like Tate who are not the top wide receiver on a team, but still put up strong numbers. Riley Cooper signed a five-year deal with the Philadelphia Eagles and Tate is expected to earn something much similar whether he likes it or not.
According to Schefter, a return to Seattle is not off the books just yet. Seattle has taken care of their top priority, Michael Bennett, and can now keep an eye on Tate. NFL sources believe the Seahawks are waiting to see the kind of offer a team makes to Tate before placing their own deal in front of the wide receiver.
Tate told the media that he has not heard much from Seattle over the past few weeks which could be leaving a bad taste in his mouth. At one point, Tate offered to take a pay cut in order to remain with the Super Bowl champions and still did not hear much.
If Tate and the Lions fail to agree on a deal, there are still some teams that could make a run at the receiver outside of Seattle. The Baltimore Ravens are interested in a rotational guy like Tate. They have already met with Lance Moore about the option. The Indianapolis Colts could also be targeting the wide receiver, using Andrew Luck as the bait.
Tate should sign quickly. Detroit plans on being aggressive with their negotiations and could beat out Seattle for the receiver.
