Lions sign offensive tackle Lamar Holmes

The Detroit Lions announced Friday afternoon they have signed former Atlanta Falcons offensive tackle Lamar Holmes.

Holmes was a third-round draft pick for the Falcons in 2012 and started 19 games for the team in his four years with the organization. He earned the starting job in 2013, earning time as both the Falcons' right and left tackle (although Pro Football Focus ranked him as one of the worst tackles that year). The next year, he entered as the team's starter, but a knee injury ended his season after just four weeks.

Holmes was hoping to win back the starting job in 2015 with the Falcons, but he was placed on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list after breaking his foot in minicamp. Holmes never fully recovered so the Falcons released him via an injury settlement in December.

The Lions desperately need help at the tackle position. Riley Reiff and Michael Ola are penciled in as starter right now, but both positions could use an upgrade. Outside of those two, there is little promising depth.

Holmes is the kind of guy who has a high ceiling. At 6-foot-6, 333 pounds, he has the huge, overbearing size to be a dominant tackle. However, Holmes will need to overcome a pattern of foot injuries in his career. He had foot surgery his rookie year, suffered a minor foot injury the following season and now is recovering from a broken foot. Still, if Holmes is able to fully recover, this could be a significant pickup for the Lions.