ALLEN PARK — The Detroit Lions are sending a 2026 conditional seventh-round pick to the Jacksonville Jaguars for kicker Riley Patterson.
Patterson was waived after the Jaguars added veteran kicker Brandon McManus. But the Lions clearly wanted to jump the line and reunite with their former kicker. Detroit waived undrafted wide receiver Keytaon Thompson in its corresponding move.
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The Lions re-signed kicker Michael Badgley after he provided stability down the stretch. And the Lions also brought John Parker Romo on for the offseason program. Badgley made 20-of-24 field goals last season, connecting on a long of 53 yards, sinking all 33 extra-point tries, too.
Still, Patterson is a worthwhile addition even before considering that the Lions sent draft compensation for his services.
Much like Badgley did last year, Patterson provided a stable presence around these parts, making 13-of-14 field-goal and all 16 point-after attempts in 2021. He even won NFC special teams player of the week for his role in Detroit’s late-season upset win over the Cardinals.
The 23-year-old broke into the league out of Memphis as an undrafted free agent. The Lions signed him from New England’s practice squad, then cut him before the start of the 2022 season. Patterson hit 30-of-35 field goals for the Jaguars, missing only one point-after attempt on 37 tries. He even tasted life in the playoffs, making both field goals and all three extra points across two games.
