With all quiet on the Riley Reiff front, it appears the Detroit Lions may be exploring other options to fill their current right tackle needs. According to ESPN’s Josina Anderson the Lions are one of eight teams that may be interested in free agent D.J. Fluker:
Potential teams to watch in the OL D.J. Fluker market: #Saints #Lions #Seahawks #Colts #Vikings #Giants, #ARZ, #ATL based on a recent call.
— Josina Anderson (@JosinaAnderson) March 7, 2017
Fluker was released by the Los Angeles Chargers on Tuesday in a move that saved the team nearly $9 million in cap space.
Fluker was the 11th overall pick for the Chargers in the 2013 draft. In his four seasons with Los Angeles (then San Diego), Fluker started 59 games, both at tackle and guard. Most recently, Fluker was the Chargers’ right guard.
On friend at Bolts From the Blue are not huge fans of Fluker:
“Simply put, D.J. Fluker is not a good football player. In fact, he’s downright terrible. The initial first-round pick of the Tom Telesco era has demonstrated some alarming athletic deficiencies, seems to have a hard time grasping his assignments, and is a major concussion risk.”
For the Lions, Fluker is an interesting option. The Lions could be in the market for both a right guard and right tackle, considering Larry Warford may leave in free agency, too. Fluker would give them flexibility, and his age leaves room for improvement. But the Chargers’ thoughts on the guy are definitely worrisome.