Detroit Lions sign Danny Amendola as their slot receiver in 2019

The Detroit Lions were on the lookout for a possible replacement for Golden Tate. They find themselves that player in ex-Patriot Danny Amendola.

The Detroit Lions have a talented wide receiver corps that features a wily veteran in Marvin Jones Jr. and a budding superstar in Kenny Golladay. But the Lions’ offense struggled last season when the team opted to trade away slot receiver Golden Tate.

So, it was reasoned that the Lions would be looking to fill that slot position this offseason either in free agency or the upcoming draft. Now we have the answer. Early Monday morning, Detroit signed veteran Danny Amendola to a one-year deal with up to $5.75 million, with a guaranteed base salary of $4.5 million. That according to the MMQB’s Albert Breer.

There is a clear connection between Amendola and the Lions’ organization. And that’s the New England Patriots. The veteran receiver played five seasons with the Pats between 2013-2017. During that span, he helped New England win two Super Bowls. Detroit general manager Bob Quinn and current head coach Matt Patricia are both Patriot alums who have worked with Amendola before.

The 5-foot-11, 190-pound Amendola went undrafted out of Texas Tech in 2008. After a brief stint with the Dallas Cowboys and the Philadelphia Eagles, he would eventually find success with the St. Louis Rams. Amendola’s best season was in 2010, where he posted 85 receptions for 689 yards and three touchdowns despite only starting in six games for the Rams.

Last season, Amendola was with the Miami Dolphins. The veteran wideout was able to record 59 catches for 575 yards and a score despite having quarterbacks Brock Osweiler and Ryan Tannehill under center. Amendola now joins a revamped Lions’ offense with a new offensive coordinator at the helm in Darrell Bevell and a quality veteran passer in Matthew Stafford.