The Detroit Lions didn't do something I though they would or should do this offseason. They skipped out on it in both free agency and the draft. I'm talking about finding that big bodied X receiver.
Free agency is tapped out and all the good ones got drafted, but no worries. I found one. Is he in college? No. Is he a free agent? No. Is he someone the Lions would have to trade for? No. What about Austria? Is he in Austria? Actually yes he is.
I'm talking about the Austrian giant Florian Bierbaumer of the Vienna Vikings in the European League of Football. Bierbaumer is a monster that stands at 198 centimeters and weighs 113 kilograms. That's 6-foot-6 and 250 pounds.
Bierbaumer is a wide receiver and tight end and he's got a pretty impressive highlight reel if you ask me.
Ok, How does this work? Bierbaumer is part of the 2024 class of International Pathways players. That means the Lions can sign him and use a 17th practice squad spot for him.
I don't think he is someone that can start anytime soon, but he has the size and the catch ability to possibly get there at some point. Since the Lions will have an IPP player anyways, it might as well be this giant receiver. The Lions could of course always decide to use him as a tight end as well. He doesn't have blazing fast speed, but he can go up and make a catch and he can overpower just about anyone on the field. It's worth a look.
More must-reads: