By Sunday 
A Low-Risk Move to Bolster Depth
Detroit Lions general manager Brad Holmes has been actively adding depth to the roster during the first wave of free agency. One of his latest moves was signing tight end Kenny Yeboah to a one-year deal, a move that may not turn heads but serves a practical purpose.
Yeboah’s Journey to the Lions
Yeboah, an undrafted free agent out of Ole Miss, spent four seasons with the New York Jets, appearing in 33 games but making just two starts. Over that stretch, he tallied nine receptions for 111 yards and a touchdown.
His biggest contributions, however, didn’t come on offense. Yeboah carved out a role as a key special teams player, logging at least 76% of the Jets’ special teams snaps in each of the last three seasons.
In 2023, he saw his most action on offense, playing 123 snaps at tight end—accounting for 35% of New York’s offensive plays. Despite the increased usage, his production remained modest, and his blocking grades from Pro Football Focus (PFF) were less than stellar.
What Yeboah Brings to Detroit
Given his track record, Yeboah is expected to play a similar role in Detroit. His primary responsibility will likely be on special teams, where he logged 168 snaps last season, including 94 combined reps on kick return and coverage units.
Offensively, he’ll slot in as the team’s third-string tight end behind Pro Bowler Sam LaPorta and backup Brock Wright. With former TE3 Shane Zylstra not receiving a restricted free-agent tender, Yeboah steps into a vacant role that prioritizes depth rather than playmaking ability.
Grading the Signing
On paper, this is far from a game-changing acquisition. Yeboah isn’t known for his receiving skills, and his blocking has been inconsistent. But in a league where depth is crucial, his special teams experience and ability to step in when needed make him a reasonable addition.
While he won’t be a featured part of the offense, he provides insurance at the position and fills a need on special teams. Given the low-risk nature of the deal, the signing earns a C- grade—a functional move but not one that dramatically improves the roster.