While the Lions are in need of a slot receiver, a reunion with Golden Tate isn’t a likely outcome for the club, as Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press writes. Detroit shipped Tate to the Eagles at midseason in exchange for a third-round pick, and now the veteran pass-catcher is scheduled to hit the open market next month. After moving Tate, the Lions deployed T.J. Jones as their slot receiver, but they’re expected to pursue an upgrade either through free agency or the draft. Other free agent options who spend most of their time in the slot include Adam Humphries, Jamison Crowder, and Cole Beasley, but those receivers could be just as expensive as Tate.
Here’s more from the NFC:
- If the 49ers add another running back this offseason, they’ll suddenly be staring at a crowded backfield, per Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area. San Francisco thought it had found its No. 1 back last spring, when it signed Jerick McKinnon to a four-year, $30MM pact that contained nearly $12MM in guaranteed money. McKinnon tore his ACL before the 2018 campaign began, but Matt Breida performed well in his absence. Meanwhile, backup RB and special teams ace Raheem Mostert will be tendered as a restricted free agent and could even earn an extension. For what it’s worth, the 49ers could conceivably release McKinnon, and designating him as a post-June 1 cut would make the move financially palatable.
- The Seahawks are expected to place the franchise tag on defensive end Frank Clark, but they’ll probably have to target cost-effective veterans rather than other star players as they rebuild their defensive line, according to Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times. Although Seattle did pursue Ndamukong Suh last year, it’s unlikely the club will go after him again. Instead, cheaper options such as Bennie Logan or Earl Mitchell could make sense for the Seahawks, per Condotta.
- The Saints have hired former Penn State staffer Phil Galiano as an assistant special teams coach, tweets Adam Schefter of ESPN.com. Galiano has spent most of his career in the collegiate ranks, but work for the Buccaneers from 2010-12. He’ll now assist Darren Rizzi, who was hired as New Orleans’ special teams coordinator last week.
Niners need a big bodied back for short yardage and goaline situations
Sounds like CJ Anderson
Does Shannon even like big body backs?
They are going to hold out for someone more durable than Frank Gore.
Who? Emmitt Smith?
Tough releasing McKinnon only because no one knows how well he will blend in with the 49ers offensive schemes. But, Breida proved that he deserved to be the #1 back. As far as the short-yardage power back, Morris should be considered.