The Detroit Lions have been mostly bargain bin shopping this offseason, trying to manage a tight cap while finding diamonds in the rough. While that strategy has been heavily criticized this offseason on defense, the Lions\u2019 offensive additions seem more reasonable and productive.<\/p>\n
Nowhere is that more evident than in what the Lions did to supplement their skill positions. The signings of running back Isiah Pacheco, tight end Tyler Conklin, and wide receiver Greg Dortch are all very low-cost signings that could play well above their current value.<\/p>\n
RB Isiah Pacheco \u2014 One year, $1.81 million (all guaranteed)<\/p>\n
Contract terms source: Aaron Wilson<\/a><\/p>\n Salary: $1.81 million (fully guaranteed)Cap hit: $1.81 million<\/p>\n In one of the simplest contracts you\u2019ll see from the Lions, Pacheco\u2019s entire deal is just a $1.81 million fully guaranteed salary. He replaces David Montgomery, who was set to hit Detroit\u2019s cap for nearly $8.4 million in 2026. Detroit is still carrying $4.86 million in dead cap from trading Montgomery, but combined with Pacheco\u2019s salary, the Lions are still saving about $1.7 million compared to if they had kept Montgomery.<\/p>\n Pacheco obviously comes with an injury risk, but the hope is that another year removed from his fractured fibula will help return some of the explosiveness that made the former Chief special. At a cap hit that ranks 43rd among running backs, this is a low-risk signing with high potential. Still, it should be considered a downgrade from Montgomery.<\/p>\n TE Tyler Conklin \u2014 One year, $1.3M<\/p>\n Contract terms source: Aaron Wilson<\/a><\/p>\n Salary: $1.3 millionCap hit: $1.075 million<\/p>\n Detroit is using the \u201cveteran salary benefit\u201d stipulation in the Collective Bargaining Agreement<\/a> on this contract. In short, it allows a team to sign a veteran player (at least four accrued seasons) to a vet minimum contract, but the cap hit is just the minimum salary of a player with only two years of experience. Conklin is an eight-year veteran, so his minimum salary is $1.3 million<\/a>. The minimum salary of a two-year player is just $1.075M.<\/p>\n Conklin\u2019s contract is so low that it barely even hits Detroit\u2019s salary cap, given that only the top-51 contracts count against it. And for that low price, the Lions are getting a player who had at least 50 catches and 400 yards in four consecutive seasons before last year\u2019s tough season with the Chargers. As a TE3 who could push Brock Wright for the TE2 job\u2014and insurance in case Sam LaPorta\u2019s rehab suffers a setback\u2014this is about as good a deal as you can find.<\/p>\n WR Greg Dortch \u2014 One year, $1.402M<\/p>\n