Detroit Lions: Evaluating the 2019 Free Agent Class
Jesse James
Position: Tight End
Age: 25
Contract terms: Signed through 2022, $22.6 million ($10.5 million guaranteed)
2019 statistics through 15 games: 14 receptions, 137 yards, 0 touchdowns
Analysis: The Lions’ production from their tight end group in 2018 was absolutely abysmal, and an overhaul was needed in the worst way. In a thin crop of free-agent tight ends this past March, the Lions were again able to land the best of the bunch (as they did with Flowers) when they signed James.
Once they drafted T.J. Hockenson with their first selection in April, visions of a powerful and well-rounded tight end unit were in the eyes of the Lions and all of their followers. It never happened.
James has been next to invisible on offense all year. He has caught just 14 balls on just 24 targets for 137 yards, which puts him on pace to finish with his lowest totals in those categories by a mile since his rookie season. He played in just eight games that year.
Despite standing 6-7, James has never been much of a touchdown threat (his career-high is three). Still, it’s mind-boggling that the Lions hardly ever target him in the end zone, and he needs a score this Sunday to avoid a goose egg for the year. That seems unlikely; when was the last time the Lions even looked his way deep in the red zone?
Despite his negligible receiving numbers, one would assume that someone with his size and experience would be able to contribute with his blocking skills. That aspect of his game has also been disconcerting. He has been unable to help keep the Lions’ running game from going through long dormant stretches and is typically at the mercy of opposing pass rushers, even when executing combo blocks.
Overall, 2019 has been a wash for James, and the Lions will be looking for a big step forward from him and Hockenson in 2020, assuming a return to health for the latter. Fortunately, James’ quiet, unassuming, and team-first nature fit the character mold of players coveted by this Lions regime. Sadly, that hasn’t translated into many tangible results in his first year in Detroit.