Detroit Lions signing speedy Titans return man Kalif Raymond to 1-year deal

ALLEN PARK — The Detroit Lions have found a contender to replace All-Pro return man Jamal Agnew, inking the speedy Kalif Raymond to a one-year deal according to his agent.

Raymond went undrafted out of Holy Cross in 2016, then spent his first couple seasons bouncing between the Broncos, Jets and Giants before finding a home in Tennessee the last two seasons. He returned 23 punts for 208 yards last year, an average of 9.0 yards per attempt. That ranked just outside the top 10.

He averaged 18.3 yards per kick return, while chipping in a career-high nine catches for 181 yards on offense.

In other words, he’s like a less productive version of Jamal Agnew, the All-Pro return man who just cashed in with a three-year, $21 million contract in Jacksonville. Agnew averaged 12.7 yards per punt return last year, 28.0 yards per kick return, brought back one return for a touchdown, added 13 catches for 89 yards and also ran the ball six times for 33 yards.

Agnew’s offensive production can be replaced, but he was one of the league’s more dynamic return men. His five return touchdowns lead the league since turning pro in 2017. But the Lions are in a tight financial spot and elected not to bid for him on the open market.

There is still a lot of time before the Lions have to pick a new return man, but Raymond looks like an early favorite. He once was clocked at 4.34 seconds in the 40-yard dash at his pro day, so if nothing else, Detroit has added more speed to the competition.

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