clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Detroit Lions sign DT Fredrick Jones, cut WR Brandon Reilly

The Lions have added a healthy body on the defensive line.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL: OCT 06 Florida State at Miami Photo by Doug Murray/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Detroit Lions head coach Matt Patricia announced on Tuesday morning the team had made a roster move. The Lions have signed undrafted free agent defensive tackle Fred Jones and subsequently released wide receiver Brandon Reilly.

Jones comes previously from the New York Jets, who decided to release him last week. Jones played for the Florida State Seminoles for four years, starting 10 games. His senior year, he started eight games, recording 26 tackles, 2.0 sacks and three pass breakups.

Our friends at Bleeding Green Nation have a great breakdown of Jones’ film, which even includes some work as a lead blocker.

“His success is founded on his technique, which is absolutely a transferable skill,” Bleeding Green Nation’s “Bent” wrote. “And while he is probably just a two-down player at the NFL level and ideally needs to bulk up even more, it will be interesting to see what kind of success he can have against NFL talent in preseason.”

Listed around 6-foot-2, 304 pounds, Jones projects to potentially be a nose tackle with the Lions. He’ll have to add some bulk, but he showed some serious run defending skills in college.

At the moment, Jones may simply be a seat-filler on the Lions’ roster. Damon Harrison Sr. and Darius Kilgo remain on the Non-Football Injury list, while Da’Shawn Hand and John Atkins suffered injuries during Sunday’s practice.

Jones will be wearing number 64 for the Lions.

Pride of Detroit Direct

Sign up now for a 7-day free trial of Pride of Detroit Direct, with exclusive updates from Jeremy Reisman on the ground at Allen Park, instant reactions after each game, and in-depth Lions analysis from film expert Jon Ledyard.