By comparison with the Los Angeles Rams, New England Patriots, and Chicago Bears, the Detroit Lions had a relatively quiet first week of free agency. Lions GM Brad Holmes focused on re-signing current players instead of shelling out tens of millions of dollars to acquire outside talent.
The Detroit Lions Most Surprising Free Agency Move
It was a smart move. While other teams had holes to fill through free agency, last year the Lions were one of the NFL’s top teams. Detroit didn’t have many coverage gaps. Even with all the injuries, the team still had a record season. Making sure to retain the players responsible for a 15-2 record and the NFC North Division title was the key priority.
However, in addition to focusing on his internal candidates, Holmes did sign several free agents. The experts were quick to praise Holmes for his acquisition of cornerback D.J. Reed, nose tackle Roy Lopez and linebacker Grant Stuard . According to expert analysis, all three individuals fulfilled the team needs and fit the Lion’s player profile.
Next, Holmes brought in two more players to increase positional depth. Veteran quarterback Kyle Allen is a reliable backup with experience playing for five different NFL teams. He’s recorded 4,753 yards, 26 touchdowns and 21 interceptions with a career passer rating of 82.3%. With 19 career starts under his belt, Allen could step in when needed. He could also help mentor Hendon Hooker.
But in a surprise move, Holmes next acquired the Jets backup tight end, Kenny Yeboah. With Sam LaPorta locked in as TE1 and Brock Wright as a solid TE2, Yeboah’s acquisition was unexpected. But on closer examination, it could make sense.
A Surprise Free Agency Acquisition For The Lions
After playing football at Temple, Yeboah transferred in his senior year to Ole Miss where he set a school record for the most receiving yards by a tight end with seven catches for 181 yards and two touchdowns. Signing with the New York Jets as an undrafted free agent in May 2021, Yeboah was waived the following August. Re-signed to their practice squad the next day, Yeboah appeared in his first NFL game in October 2021. By November, he was elevated to the 53-man roster.
Serving primarily as a kickoff specialist for the Jets special teams unit, Yeboah had only two career starts with the Jets. But in his second game playing on offense, Yeboah recorded two receptions for 36 yards. However, during his first two years, he bounced back and forth between injured reserve and the active roster after injuring his hamstring.
He recorded nine receptions for 111 yards and one touchdown in his four years in New York but Yeboah earned most of those receptions in the last two years. In 2024, he had five receptions for 47 yards along with a two-yard touchdown catch in week 11. With roughly half his total receptions and more than 42% of his yardage coming in the last year would suggest that Yeboah is only beginning to develop his skills.
What Yeboah’s Signing Means for Detroit
One reason the partnership between Holmes and Dan Campbell is so strong is because they share a similar mindset, particularly when it comes to evaluating players. Holmes has a genius ability for spotting underrated talent. As a former tight end, Campbell knows what characterizes a good player at that position. It’s not hard to believe these two see untapped potential in Yeboah.
Also at 6′ 4″ and a sturdy 250 pounds, Yeboah could prove extremely useful as a blocking tight end. One of the things distinguishing Dan Campbell’s offense is how his receivers and running backs block for each other. Amon-Ra St. Brown, Tim Patrick, and David Montgomery aren’t afraid to get their hands dirty throwing a key block to open up a lane for a targeted teammate. They understand that disrupting the defense is just another part of their job.
It will be interesting to see how Yeboah develops this season wearing a Lions uniform. Will he be used exclusively on special teams, or will he become a terrific tight end? Yeboah has a great opportunity to prove himself with one of the most exciting teams in the NFL.
Main Photo: [Brad Penner] – USA Today Sports
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