The Lions signed receiver Golden Tate to a five-year, $31 million contract Wednesday with more than $13 million in guaranteed money. I like this move for all the respective Fantasy parties involved.
Start with Tate, who is coming off a career year in 2013 with 64 catches for 898 yards and five touchdowns in Seattle. He has been stifled by the Seahawks run-heavy offense the past two years with Russell Wilson, but all that is about to change.
Matthew Stafford has attempted 630-plus passes the past three seasons, and even with new head coach Jim Caldwell expected to dial it down, he'll still be throwing a lot. And Tate, playing opposite Calvin Johnson, should see single coverage on almost every play.
This should be his first chance for a 1,000-yard season, and he should score at least six touchdowns. I like Tate as a No. 3 receiver in all leagues with a mid-round pick.
As for Stafford, this gives him another playmaker, which is key. Johnson is the best receiver in the NFL, and Reggie Bush and Joique Bell are solid out of the backfield. Joseph Fauria is a sleeper tight end, but Tate adds another dimension to this passing game.
Put Stafford back on your list as a Top 5 quarterback, and I would draft him as early as Round 4 after the Top 3 come off the board in Peyton Manning, Aaron Rodgers and Drew Brees.