The Lions took care of another need Thursday as they’ve signed now former Seahawks wide-out Golden Tate. The deal is reportedly for over the course of five-years for $31 million dollars with $13.25 million guaranteed.
So Lions' deal with Tate is 5 years worth $31M and $13.25M guaranteed, per @JosinaAnderson.
— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) March 12, 2014
Tate also addressed the signing on his Twitter account:
Wow I'm officially a Detroit #Lion. Extremely excited about the opportunity to grow with this organization.
— Golden Tate (@ShowtimeTate) March 12, 2014
Unlike Seattle Tate enters a situation in Detroit where he’ll be a bigger part of the offense given the Lions’ pass heavy scheme which I assume will stay in place even with the hiring of Joe Lombardi. Tate’s overall success though will depend on just how successful Matthew Stafford is under center but should immediately benefit with the double teams Calvin Johnson usually gets.
Obviously this leads to the question as far as what the Lions do come draft time?
As of this week the team seemed extremely high on Clemson wide receiver Sammy Watkins who was looking more and more likely to be off the board when the Lions picked at ten. Perhaps this is something Mayhew saw and felt that he’d be better off addressing the wide out need via free agency rather than have to trade up and lose draft picks.
The need in the secondary could’ve very well of played into this signing as well.
Given the massive contracts that safeties and corners have gotten so far in free agency the Lions may be better suited going after some secondary help with their early picks in May.
