Lions trade Michael Williams to New England

Michael Williams is now a Patriot. The offensive tackle is on his way to Boston after a report broke early Tuesday evening that the Detroit Lions had made the trade with New England. Ben Volin of the Boston Globe was the first to break the news:

Source: #Patriots have traded for #Lions OT Mike Williams. Came into the league as a TE. Pats tried to sign him off practice squad last year

— Ben Volin (@BenVolin) August 25, 2015

Per ESPN NFL reporter Field Yates, Detroit will be receiving a seventh-round pick from the New England Patriots in a future draft year in exchange.

Despite being drafted in 2013 and winning three national championships at the University of Alabama at tight end, Michael Williams never saw time in a regular season game for the Detroit Lions in two seasons with the organization. Selected in the seventh round of the 2013 NFL Draft, he missed his rookie year with an injury to his hand. Last year the Patriots tried to sign Williams off the practice squad and failed.

The trade leaves Detroit shallow in offensive tackles for the roster as it is currently constituted. However, LaAdrian Waddle was taken off the PUP list on Sunday, so this is a good sign he will be ready by the start of the season.