The Detroit Lions have completed a trade this afternoon, sending defensive tackle Akeem Spence to the Miami Dolphins in exchange for an undisclosed 2019 draft pick, sources have confirmed.
The Detroit Lions have traded defensive tackle Akeem Spence to the Miami Dolphins for an undisclosed 2019 draft pick, the team has announced.
— Mike O'Hara (@MikeOHaraNFL) May 3, 2018
Before today’s trade, the Lions reportedly asked Spence to take a pay cut. It wasn’t initially clear the reasoning behind it, but Spence reportedly agreed to receive a base salary of $2.575 million in 2018. He was originally due $3.15 million, meaning the Lions would have saved $500,000 in cap space. The Lions entered Thursday approximately $9.4 million under the salary cap.
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Drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2013, Akeem played college football at Illinois. He put up 45 tackles, four tackles for a loss, one quarterback sacks, two hurries and one fumble recovery in 2010. As a junior, he was ranked third on the team in tackles with 72 and tied for second on team with 7.0 tackles for a loss and had one sack.
He found his way to Detroit in March of 2017, signing a three-year contract worth $9 million which included a $2.25 million signing bonus. In 16 games with Detroit last season, he started 11 and put up 39 tackles (including 19 solo tackles) with three sacks. He also forced a fumble; his numbers were all career highs. He rose to Detroit’s starting lineup after a Week 5 injury to Haloti Ngata. Only A’Shawn Robinson and Anthony Zettel played more snaps than Spence in 2017.
The Lions have options in free agency, with players like Ricky Jean-Francois, Robert Ayers and Johnathan Hankins available.
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A hamstring injury cut short what was an otherwise productive rookie season for Detroit Lions receiver Kenny Golladay. Fans were able to see glimpses of what they hope is a long and productive career when he was healthy, including strong performances in Detroit’s season opener and finale. He averaged 17.0 yards per catch and recorded six receptions of more than 30 yards.
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