Late last night, a rumor surfaced that All-Pro LB Khalil Mack was in the Motor City and was expected to meet with the Detroit Lions on Monday. Well, that rumor has been squashed but that does not mean GM Bob Quinn was not busy working the phones and making deals.
According to reports, the Lions have signed veteran defensive end Robert Ayers and have waived cornerback Josh Okonye. Contract details have not yet been disclosed.
Lions have signed veteran free agent DE Robert Ayers and waive CB Josh Okonye
— Tim Twentyman (@ttwentyman) August 27, 2018
Via Detroit Lions:
“Ayers joins the Lions for his 10th NFL season after spending the past two years (2016-17) with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where he appeared in 12 games (10 starts) in both seasons. He totaled 31 total tackles (20 solo), 2.0 sacks and two forced fumbles in 2017.
A former first-round pick (18th overall) in the 2009 NFL Draft with the Denver Broncos, Ayers spent his first five seasons (2009-13) in Denver before playing two seasons with the New York Giants from 2014-15. For his career, he has played in 120 games (59 starts) and has notched 264 tackles (191 solo), 35.0 sacks, 108 quarterback hits, 51 tackles for loss and nine forced fumbles.”
According to Pro Football Focus, Ayers was ranked 10th in the NFL among edge rushers in 2017.
Last season Ayers put up an 86.9 defense grade which was good for 10th among edge defenders. He put up 45 total pressures rushing the quarterback and 19 run-stops defending the run. https://t.co/Vy06LGiCJy
— PFF DET Lions (@PFF_Lions) August 27, 2018
