DETROIT (AP) – The Detroit Lions have finalized their $40 million, five-year contract with free agent wide receiver Marvin Jones. The Lions introduced Jones on Thursday on a conference call. After losing Calvin Johnson to retirement, they were in the market for a receiver. Jones, who turns 26 on Saturday, was with the Cincinnati Bengals for four years, although he missed the 2014 season after foot and ankle injuries. He played in all 16 games last season. Jones caught 65 passes for 816 yards and four touchdowns last season for the Bengals. Jones was drafted in the fifth round out of California in 2012. He caught 18 passes as a rookie, then had 51 receptions for 712 yards and 10 touchdowns during the 2013 season.
The Detroit Lions have signed free-agent defensive tackle Stefan Charles. The Lions announced the move Thursday. Charles comes to the Lions after three seasons with the Buffalo Bills. He played 13 games last season with one start, tallying 13 tackles – nine solo – along with a sack and a forced fumble. Charles signed as an undrafted rookie with the Tennessee Titans in 2013. He played in 37 career games for Buffalo, starting two.
The Detroit Lions have signed free agent cornerback Johnson Bademosi. The team announced the deal Thursday. Bademosi has been a special teams standout for Cleveland. He played for the Browns the past four seasons. Bademosi was undrafted out of Stanford in 2012. Last season, he was an NFL co-leader in special teams tackles with 17, 12 solo. He ranks second in the league with 61 special teams tackles since 2012.
The Detroit Lions have signed free agent safety Tavon Wilson. The team announced the move Thursday and did not disclose contract terms. Wilson played the past four seasons with the New England Patriots after being drafted by them in the second round in 2012. Wilson appeared in nine games for the Patriots during the 2015 season and finished with 10 tackles, eight solo. In his four seasons with New England, he started four games, all as a rookie. Bob Quinn, Detroit’s new general manager, previously worked in the New England organization. Wilson said: “I’ve known Bob for a while now. It was a great opportunity for me, it was good for both sides, and that’s why I’m here.”
