Lions send OT Williams to Patriots for draft pick

Allen Park — The Lions traded another one of their promising young players Tuesday, sending third-year offensive tackle Michael Williams to the New England Patriots for an undisclosed draft pick.

Williams, 24, was not at practice Tuesday after an otherwise healthy summer, and the transaction explains his absence. The Boston Globe first reported the trade.

The Lions drafted Williams in the seventh round in 2013 as a blocking-focused tight end out of Alabama. After he spent his rookie season on injured reserve, the Lions moved him to offensive tackle in 2014 and kept him on the practice squad the entire season.

The Patriots actually tried to sign Williams off the practice squad at one point, but the Lions gave him a raise to keep him in Detroit. At least four other teams expressed interest in Williams before the trade.

Now, Williams will head to New England where he'll likely be a backup offensive tackle. For the Lions, Williams was in line to be the fourth offensive tackle behind Riley Reiff, LaAdrian Waddle and Cornelius Lucas after a strong offseason. The Lions also have seventh-round pick Corey Robinson to provide depth at the position.

The Lions also traded second-year cornerback Mohammed Seisay to the Seattle Seahawks for a 2016 sixth-round pick.

jkatzenstein@detroitnews.com

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