Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
The Detroit Lions lucked out when they signed former Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Golden Tate during free agency. In his first four years in the league, Tate posted respectable numbers in each season, however, his numbers don’t really pop off the page. He has never gone over 1,000 yards in a season in his career.
Heading into the 2014 season, Tate has a chance to produce in ways that he never did in his time with Seattle. He never played off of an elite receiver like Calvin Johnson, who should open up plenty of space for Tate to work in. That should attract extra defenders, which would give Tate even more of an advantage, thus boosting his production as a whole.
Also, while Russell Wilson is a great quarterback and a Super Bowl champion, he is not even close to the gunslinger that Matthew Stafford is. Some other exciting news about Tate’s fantasy value has to do with comments made by Detroit’s coaching staff. According to the new Lions offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi, he envisions Tate as a stronger, more athletic and better pass catching version of Lance Moore in New Orleans.
The newest addition to the Lions’ receiving corps should fit perfectly into the team’s new offensive system. He should be a rock-solid WR-2 for fantasy football owners this year. If Tate turns into the type of player who Lombardi envisions him to be in his new system, then it is quite possible that the receiver could crack 1,000 yards receiving for the first time in his career.
Alexander Muir is a writer at Rant Sports.com. Follow him on Twitter @AmuirAlex, “Like” him on Facebook or add him on your network on Google.
