The 5 best free agent signings in Detroit Lions history

2. KR/PR Mel Gray

Gray was the Lions’ first Plan B free agent signing in 1989, after the New Orleans Saints did not protect him under that system. In six seasons as a Lion, he was a four-time Pro Bowler and first team All-Pro as a return man three times. He is fourth all-time in NFL history in kickoff return yards (10,250), and he’s certain to remain in that high standing with how the league has attempted to basically eliminate kickoff returns.

Gray also returned two punts for touchdowns during his time in Detroit, to go with five kickoff return scores. Not many teams would have someone who was strictly a return man on their list of best free agents, but Gray belongs on the Lions’ list and I had no trouble putting him this high on it.

1. WR Golden Tate

This weekend is the eight-year anniversary of Tate signing with the Lions.

In each of his four full seasons as a Lion, Tate had at least 90 receptions with over 1,000 yards three times. He earned a trip to the Pro Bowlin his first season (2014), when he had 99 receptions for 1,331 yards. He was traded to the Eagles in the middle of the 2018 season, as his tenure in Detroit ended abruptly and unhappily, but he finished with 416 catches over 71 games for the Lions.

Honorable mentions-Best free agent signings in Detroit Lions history: K Matt Prater, DT Henry Thomas, WR Marvin Jones, FS Mark Carrier, WR Nate Burleson, QB Erik Kramer, QB Dave Krieg, RB James Stewart