Former LSU receiver Russell Gage signs with NFC South rival
The LSU Tigers have consistently produced top-tier professional talent over the last two decades and many former players end up having long, lucrative, successful careers.
Russell Gage — who was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the 6th round of the 2018 NFL Draft — is changing teams for the first time in his career and he’s staying in the NFC South.
Gage struggled to produce in his rookie season and while his production picked up in 2019, the last two seasons have showcased his growth and comfortability as a slot or third receiver in the NFL.
The former LSU wideout is coming off nearly identical back-to-back seasons. He finished 2020 with 72 receptions for 786 yards and four touchdowns, averaging just over 10 yards per grab.
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Last year, Gage hauled in 66 receptions for 770 yards and another four touchdowns, while avraging nearly 12 yards per catch.
With Tom Brady returning to the Buccaneers and the duo of Mike Evans and Chris Godwin locking down the top two spots, the former Falcon will likely fill the void of the No. 3 receiver vacated by Antonio Brown.
LSU Tigers: DJ Chark inks deal with Detroit Lions
NFL free agency is in full swing, and former LSU and Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver DJ Chark has reportedly landed with the Detroit Lions. Chark, who played in just four games this past season, heads to the Lions to become a focal point in the Detroit passing game.
“The #Lions are expected to sign former #Jaguars WR DJ Chark, source said,” Rapoport tweeted. “They get their big-ticket pass-catcher.”
Chark’s fractured ankle that he suffered this past season perhaps limited his value on the open market. Regardless, he is in a good position to see serious involvement in the Lions offense next season. And he also got a pretty good pay day as well.
“For DJ Chark, it’s a 1-year deal worth $10M fully guaranteed,” said Rapoport of the former LSU Tigers possession receiver.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Chark’s deal is worth up to a maximum value of $12 million next season.
Chark first entered the league when the Jaguars selected him in the second round of the 2018 NFL Draft out of LSU. That selection came after Chark recorded 66 receptions for 1,351 yards and ten total touchdowns across his collegiate career. As a rookie with the Jaguars in 2018, Chark grabbed 14 receptions for 174 yards.
In 2019, the former LSU Tigers receiver broke out as one of the top receivers in the league. He hauled in 73 passes for 1,008 yards and eight touchdowns, earning his first Pro Bowl appearance. Chark followed that up with a solid 2020 season, bringing in 53 receptions for 706 yards and five touchdowns. In the four games prior to his injury last season, he had seven receptions for 154 yards and two touchdowns.