Detroit Lions: 15 best free agent acquisitions of all-time

The Lions had the luxury of having one of the best return men to ever do it back in the late 1980s and early 1990s, as Mel Gray was the ultimate weapon in the return game. Coming over to the Lions for the 1989 season, Gray became a fixture at the Pro Bowl during his time in Motown. He went down as one of the best player of his time at his position.

A true returner, Gray set a ton of records as a member of the Lions, becoming a key cog on a team that was a perennial playoff contender. In fact, Gray’s exploits in the return game helped the Lions to key field position and he was a big reason they went to the playoffs in multiple seasons.

For his efforts, Gray was named to the NFL’s All-Decade Team for the 1990s. He finished his Lions career as the franchise leader in kick return yards, punt return yards and return touchdowns, to name a few. In 1994, he set the franchise record with a 102-yard kickoff return for a touchdown against the Chicago Bears.

That 1994 season was a magical one for Gray, who scored three touchdowns off returns, which is still a single-season team record.

Gray went to four Pro Bowls as a member of the Lions, and was a First-Team All-Pro three times. Playing on those exciting Lions teams that featured Barry Sanders at running back, Gray’s contributions to the team were never lost on the fans, who loved to see him break free to set the offense up in great field position.