Lions land Patriots safety Tavon Wilson


Lions general manager Bob Quinn hired some former Patriots employees to his staff after taking over in January, and now he’s adding a former New England player to the roster.
Safety Tavon Wilson is joining the Lions after spending the last four years with the Patriots.
The 25-year-old announced his plans to come to Detroit on Twitter, saying he looks forward to meeting coach Jim Caldwell, the Ford family and his teammates.
A second-round pick out of Illinois in 2012, Wilson has started just four games in his career, but he’ll come to the Lions with an opportunity to compete for a starting job next to Glover Quin.
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Wilson was one of the Lions’ top free-agent targets when the legal tampering period opened on Monday. Quinn worked for the Patriots the past 16 years and clearly sees untapped potential in the safety.
At 6-foot, 215 pounds, Wilson would seem to fit the profile of a free safety, but the Lions used the 6-foot-1, 201-pound Isa Abdul-Quddus at strong safety last year. Plus, Quin is capable of playing either safety spot.
Meanwhile, multiple reports said Abdul-Quddus is set to sign with the Miami Dolphins.
The Lions will likely still look for another safety either in free agency or the draft.
jkatzenstein@detroitnews.com
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