Advertisement

Detroit Lions sign CB DJ Hayden, TE Darren Fells, WR Keshawn Martin

By The Sports Xchange
San Diego Chargers running back Donald Brown (34) tries to elude Oakland Raiders DJ Hayden (25) while taking a pass from QB Philip Rivers 23 yards in the first quarter at O.co Coliseum in Oakland, California on December 24, 2015. The Raiders defeated the Chargers 23-20 in overtime. Photo by Terry Schmitt/UPI
1 of 3 | San Diego Chargers running back Donald Brown (34) tries to elude Oakland Raiders DJ Hayden (25) while taking a pass from QB Philip Rivers 23 yards in the first quarter at O.co Coliseum in Oakland, California on December 24, 2015. The Raiders defeated the Chargers 23-20 in overtime. Photo by Terry Schmitt/UPI | License Photo

The Detroit Lions signed free agent cornerback DJ Hayden, tight end Darren Fells and wide receiver Keshawn Martin to contracts, the team announced Saturday.

Hayden's one-year deal is worth up to $5.25 million, according to ESPN. Fells signed a one-year contract worth a reported $1.5 million.

Advertisement

The 5-foot-11, 190-pound Hayden spent the first four seasons of his career with the Oakland Raiders (2013-16).

Hayden, the 12th overall selection by the Raiders in the 2013 NFL Draft out of Houston, appeared in 45 career games (25 starts). His career totals include 178 tackles, one sack, three interceptions, 26 pass defenses and three forced fumbles.

The Raiders did not pick up Hayden's fifth-year option after injuries kept him off of the field for stretches during his four seasons in Oakland.

Hayden, 26, played all 16 games in 2015 but only 11 games in 2016 after finishing the season on injured reserve because of a hamstring injury.

The 6-7, 281-pound Fells joins the Lions after spending the last three seasons with the Arizona Cardinals (2014-16). He played in 14 games (seven starts) last season for the Cardinals, catching 14 passes for 154 yards and one touchdown.

Advertisement

Following a four-year basketball career at UC Irvine, the 30-year-old Fells spent four years (2008-12) as a professional basketball player overseas with stints in Argentina, Belgium, Finland, France and Mexico.

Fells transitioned into the NFL as a free agent with the Seattle Seahawks in 2013 and went on to spend his rookie season as a member of the Cardinals' practice squad.

In three NFL seasons, Fells has 40 receptions for 536 yards and four touchdowns in 38 games (24 starts).

Martin, 26, was a standout receiver at Michigan State and is entering his sixth NFL season following stints with the Houston Texans, New England Patriots and San Francisco 49ers.

He played only one game in 2016 with the 49ers, making no catches and losing a fumble. Martin was signed to a two-year deal by the Patriots last January, but was one of the team's final roster cuts out of the preseason.

In 58 career games, Martin has 62 receptions for 685 yards and five touchdowns.

Latest Headlines