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Should the Detroit Lions sign Stedman Bailey?

By Forrester Solmen

PITTSBURGH, PA - SEPTEMBER 01: Stedman Bailey #3 of the West Virginia Mountaineers celebrates after catching a touchdown pass against the Marshall Thundering Herd during the game on September 1, 2012 at Mountaineer Field in Morgantown, West Virginia. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - SEPTEMBER 01: Stedman Bailey #3 of the West Virginia Mountaineers celebrates after catching a touchdown pass against the Marshall Thundering Herd during the game on September 1, 2012 at Mountaineer Field in Morgantown, West Virginia. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /
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The top four wide receivers for the Detroit Lions are signed through 2018. I believe Stedman Bailey would make a solid addition as well.

Depth at the wide receiver position looks good for the Detroit Lions. There’s always room for improvement.

T.J. Jones recently signed his restricted free agent tender, which potentially brings him and the top three receivers back again for a second consecutive year. With his injury concerns and no surefire fifth receiver, the Lions are in need of another pass catcher.

Stedman Bailey is in search of his next NFL team after getting a bullet to his skull in 2015. His career numbers (38 games) to date are 59 receptions for 843 yards and two touchdowns. The last game he played came in 2015 with the then St. Louis Rams. At the time, Bailey’s quarterback situation was less than ideal, but his ability was easy to see.

Bailey’s numbers were modest, which includes a rushing and punt return touchdown, but he was on the verge of breaking out before tragedy struck. In the midst of his third NFL season, unknown gunmen opened fire on him and several of his family members while they were sitting in a car. Bailey was shot twice in the head.

Now, a 27-year old Bailey is looking to return to the NFL two years after that horrible incident. Could Detroit be a potential landing spot?

Under center, Matthew Stafford would easily exceed the talent level of any quarterback Bailey’s ever played with. On that note, the core of receivers are better in Detroit than the ones the former third rounder was apart of with the Rams.

Is there a particular reason I feel Bailey fits with the Lions better than other teams? No, but I like him. He’s the kind of feel good story this team could really use.

Detroit is a city that can appreciate tough people and has seen tough times. The more I think about it, Bailey belongs with the Lions. Its fans would embrace him, as would any fan base.

I remember his days with the West Virginia Mountaineers, thinking how awesome it’d be to see him in a Lions uniform. Now, it’s a possibility.

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Almost three years removed from being shot in the head, Stedman Bailey deserves an opportunity to get him back playing in the NFL. I wish him nothing but the best. Godspeed.

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