NFL free agency update: Lions sign Levine Toilolo

The Detroit Lions released Eric Ebron this offseason, and they are remaking the position with the signings of Luke Willson and Levine Toilolo.

Detroit has been relatively quiet this offseason, but it is completely remaking its tight end room. After dealing with years of disappointment from Eric Ebron, the brass decided to move on from the former first-round pick and went with the replacement-by-committee approach, signing both Luke Willson and Levine Toilolo.

Toilolo, 26, comes in as the second man on the depth chart behind Willson, and rightfully so. The Stanford standout has never been much in terms of catching the ball, only racking up  74 catches for 723 yards and seven touchdowns over his five-year career.

The Atlanta Falcons were able to let Toilolo walk with Austin Hooper in place, giving Detroit an opportunity to swoop in. His main value is blocking in the run game, something the Lions have needed from that position for some time.

Contract details

Toilolo was signed to a one-year deal, giving the Lions some help for 2018 and a year to determine whether or not they should make a long-term investment. The amount of money wasn’t included in the report, bur assume it’s $1 million or less.

National reaction

Grade

Toilolo is going to give the Lions some help in the run game, so that’s a big plus. Detroit hasn’t had  a top-10 finish in rushing yardage in the Matthew Stafford era, so why not stock up in this area? The signing isn’t a headliner, but makes sense.

Grade: B-