The newest Detroit Lions wide receiver is a familiar one for fans who have paid attention to the NFC North rival Green Bay Packers lately. Geronimo Allison defected from the Packers to join the Lions den.
The team confirmed the signing on Sunday morning. While the Lions did not disclose terms of the deal, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport reports it’s a one-year deal for $910,000, the veteran minimum for a player of Allison’s NFL experience.
What are the Lions getting in Allison?
He’s had an interesting career arc. Allison was initially a feel-good success story, making the Packers as an undrafted rookie out of Illinois and earning early playing time. The 26-year-old brings size (he’s every bit of 6-3/202) and some ability to separate down the field.
After catching 35 passes in his first two seasons, including the finale in his rookie season where he torched the Lions for four receptions, 91 yards and a TD, expectations raised in Green Bay.
His third season got off to a flying start, posting 19 receptions, 289 yards, 2 TDs — all of which led the team — in the first four weeks. He then suffered a nasty injury, tearing a muscle in his groin. While he recovered well enough to play in all 16 games in 2019, he did not have the quick burst that helped him be so effective earlier.
Allison caught a career-high 34 passes, but his yards-per-catch plummeted from over 15 in his first three seasons to just 8.4. A devastating hit from Tracy Walker, who was controversially penalized on the play, knocked him out (literally) from the Packers officiating-aided win over the Lions in October.
The Allison from 2019 will struggle to make the Lions. The hope is another year of recovery from the groin injury and surgery allows him to get back his field-stretching legs. That’s a role the Lions desperately need filled.
I watched Allison flash those jets firsthand during the 2016 Shrine Game week. There wasn’t a cornerback in St. Pete that could stay with him, and he confidently released off jams with unexpected strength in his shoulders. I saw some of that Allison during his Packers days, particularly pre-injury in 2018.
Geronimo Allison called up to #SeniorBowl. Was best WR at Shrine Week in last several years
— Jeff Risdon (@JeffRisdon) January 28, 2016
He’s not the most sure-handed receiver. Pro Football Focus had him for five drops against his 34 receptions in 2019. Judging from social media reactions, Packers fans will tell you it was worse than that.
For the veteran minimum, Allison is a smart signing for Detroit. If the speed returns to his game, I have little doubt that Allison becomes the No. 3 outside WR in 2020. But the Lions cannot depend on that, hence the small contractual obligation. He’s a calculated gamble for a rebound season in a role the team desperately needs.