The Detroit Lions are heading into minicamp after their final set of OTA workouts and the team could look at adding Brad Smith as a free agent to give Jeremy Ross someone to battle with in training camp on the roster, as reports have the wide receiver visiting with the team and this comes as Ameer Abdullah is competing to get playing time alongside Joique Bell and Theo Riddick.
Smith comes in after playing with the Philadelphia Eagles last season and according to the Detroit Free Press, Smith is expected to visit with the Lions on Tuesday. Smith could be a fifth receiver option for the Lions if he signs, but he likely would be used on kick returns and special teams if he makes the final roster. Smith did not play much in Philadelphia and he previously was the ace utility player for Rex Ryan with the New York Jets.
Smith's specialty is returning kicks and that could be a role for him with the Lions, as he has had four return touchdowns in his career. Smith only played in 81 snaps over 19 games according to Pro Football Talk and the Lions likely will have Ross on the roster bubble moving forward. According to Dave Birkett at the Detroit Free Press, Abdullah was drafted to start off as a kick returner and he likely would replace Ross, who would be competing as a backup receiver/special teams player this year.
The Lions spent the offseason looking to improve special teams after some issues last season and with Riddick and Bell on top of the depth chart, Abdullah will make his biggest impact on special teams. The Lions took Abdullah in the second round after a productive career at Nebraska and he should help the team improve on special teams after they were ranked in the bottom half in return average in the league.
The Detroit Free Press also reports that CJ Mosley could be an option to return to the Lions, but he first is meeting with an "unnamed team." UPDATE: Mosley has signed with the Miami Dolphins and they were the unnamed team that he met with. Mosley is on the market after starting eight games last year and recording 2.5 sacks. The Lions lost Ndamukong Suh to free agency to the Miami Dolphins and currently the team has Haloti Ngata and Tyrunn Walker as the main players on the depth chart.
Last season Ross had 24 catches in 16 games for 314 yards and he also had his second straight season with at least 700 total return yards. Smith would not give the team much on offense, but he is considered to be one of the best special teams players in the NFL. According to the Detroit Free Press, Abdullah has distinguished himself as a pass catcher in offseason workouts and he could get snaps on third down and in passing situations for the Lions with Reggie Bush gone.
