The Detroit Lions added a wide receiver on Saturday, announcing that they have signed former 49er Keshawn Martin.
#Lions sign free agent WR Keshawn Martin: https://t.co/FjPUOgegQ5 pic.twitter.com/KxPab0ejli
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) March 11, 2017
The name may sound familiar to locals, as Martin was formerly a Michigan State Spartan in college.
Martin was drafted in 2012 by the Houston Texans with their fourth-round pick. He spent just three seasons with them, pulling in 28 catches in 48 game appearances (two starts). However, Martin was the team’s kick and punt returner for his first two years in Houston. In 2013, he ranked eighth in the NFL in kick return average (26.3 yards).
In 2015, the New England Patriots traded a fifth-round pick for Martin and a sixth rounder. Martin would end up only playing nine games for the Patriots, catching 24 passes for 269 yards and two touchdowns. Bob Quinn must have liked what he saw then, because now Martin is a Lion.
In Detroit, Martin will likely fight for the role that Andre Roberts had with the team. Roberts was the returner in 2016 and remains a free agent this year. The Lions were also looking at a similar player in Corey Brown, who supposedly visited with Detroit earlier in free agency. But it appears the Lions have chosen Martin over Brown.