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5 free agent tight ends the Detroit Lions should target

By Brad Berreman

JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA - JANUARY 14: Evan Engram #17 of the Jacksonville Jaguars carries the ball against the Los Angeles Chargers during the second half of the game in the AFC Wild Card playoff game at TIAA Bank Field on January 14, 2023 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)
JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA - JANUARY 14: Evan Engram #17 of the Jacksonville Jaguars carries the ball against the Los Angeles Chargers during the second half of the game in the AFC Wild Card playoff game at TIAA Bank Field on January 14, 2023 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images) /
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Mandatory Credit: Mark Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Mark Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Robert Tonyan

2022 Team: Green Bay Packers

Tonyan originally signed with the Lions as an undrafted free agent out of Indiana State in 2017, but he was released before that season and never played a down for them.

Tonyan did not emerge into a notable role with the Packers until 2020, when he had 52 catches for 586 yards and 11 touchdowns. A torn ACL ended his 2021 campaign after eight games, but he had a mild rebound last season (53 receptions: 79.1 percent catch rate).

Tonyan looks to be an ideal free agent tight end target for the Lions. His value on the open market is surely a little bit surpressed, but he’s a capable blocker and pass catcher with an easy to tab red zone tilt (at 6-foot-5 and 237 pounds) in the latter area.

The Lions don’t necessarily want or need their tight ends to command a lot of target share in the current construction of their offense. But if Tonyan can move the chains and catch touchdowns when called upon, he’ll be a perfect fit. During that (to this point) peak season for him with the Packers in 2020, 44 of his 52 catches went for a touchdown (11) or a first down (33) and he had an 88.1 percent catch rate.

Green Bay may make an effort to bring Tonyan back as a reliable piece for whoever their quarterback will be. But the Lions absolutely should have some interest in him.

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