Special teams star signed by the Detroit Lions Jalen Reeves-Maybin will receive a record-breaking extension
The Detroit Lions were determined to sign some of their star players to long-term contracts when the offseason began. They took care of one of their best on Monday.
Jalen Reeves-Maybin, the star of the Lions’ special teams, inked a two-year contract extension on Monday. Reeves-Maybin will become the highest-paid core special teams player in NFL history with this deal, which has a maximum value of $8 million and includes a $2.5 million signing bonus, according to NFL Network.
Reeves-Maybin, a fourth-round selection in 2017, tied for the NFL lead with 14 special teams tackles last season, earning him second-team All-Pro recognition.
In addition, he played a rotational role at linebacker in clear-cut passing situations and converted two fake punts, one on a 31-yard pass to Khalil Dorsey and the other on a 3-yard run. Reeves-Maybin was selected to his first Pro Bowl after finishing the previous season with 20 defensive tackles and one sack.
5 NFL COMBINE THINGS TO WATCH:Definition of the Detroit Lions’ draft stock and free agent plans
Despite having plenty of salary cap space this spring, Lions general manager Brad Holmes stated in a Monday interview on WXYT-FM (97.1 in Detroit) that the team would stick to its plan to draft, develop, and re-sign its own players.
“With regard to the resources that we’ve had, we’ve kind of kept it pretty strategic and selective,” stated Holmes. However, what you consider to be a bigger fish (to pursue in free agency) is highly subjective. Because of the quote-unquote name, I believe I have an idea, but it will follow our usual methodology.”
The Lions have 18 players scheduled to be unrestricted free agents when the 2024 league year begins on March 13; however, kicker Michael Badgley was previously re-signed by the team to a one-year contract. Badgley and Reeves-Maybin are represented by the same agent, Brian McLaughlin.
This offseason, the team is also anticipated to attempt to sign receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown and quarterback Jared Goff to long-term contracts.
For six of his seven NFL seasons, Reeves-Maybin has called Detroit home. He signed a one-year contract with the Houston Texans as a free agent in 2022, but he later returned to the team in the spring.
Detroit Lions mock draft: complete seven-round version, pre-NFL Combine
A big, contested-catch wide receiver is what the Lions really need on the offensive end of the ball going into free agency.
Playing in a run-oriented Michigan offense, Johnson’s overall college stats aren’t particularly impressive. However, he did finish with more than 600 yards in two of his final three seasons (2022, with six touchdowns in one). Throughout his career, he averaged almost 15 yards per catch and saw some action as a runner.
It’s unclear whether Johnson will be able to make a significant impact right away in the NFL. In spite of this, he is a good flyer for the Lions outside of the top 150 and has the stature (6-foot-3, 208 pounds) and general tools to be intriguing.
206th overall, sixth round: Reddy Steward, a wide receiver from Troy, is not well-known in the 2024 NFL Draft because he only participated in the Sun Belt at Troy. But there’s no disputing his production over the last two seasons, and he is a versatile player who can nickel and dime.
Steward was listed as 5-foot-10 and 176 pounds at the Hula Bowl, so he is undoubtedly on the smaller side. However, his versatility and ball skills stand out here in the sixth round, when the Lions evaluate a number of options, including selecting another cornerback.
Jackson is a defensive lineman with versatility who can play on the edge due to his athleticism and strength in both running and passing. He receives commendable ratings for his physicality, effort, and football IQ. His best season was his last one at Washington State, where he recorded 12.5 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks, four fumble recoveries, and three pass breakups.
While he only has a bull rush in his toolkit, Jackson needs to expand his pass rush repertoire. It would be interesting to see how he performs physically at the combine, as that would indicate even more upside potential.
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