Detroit Lions

Lions' Cooter: Goldon Tate is an 'elite' player with ball in his hands

Published Dec. 31, 2015 5:39 p.m. ET

foxsports

Detroit Lions wide receiver Golden Tate is a pretty talented playmaker. He's not the biggest pass-catcher at 5-foot-10 and 198 pounds, but he can make some amazing things happen in the open field.

Interim offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter considers Tate "elite" player after the catch.

Via ESPN's Michael Rothstein:

#Lions OC Jim Bob Cooter: "Golden (Tate) is an excellent, elite player with the ball in his hands."
— Michael Rothstein (@mikerothstein) December 31, 2015

Tate, who played his first four NFL seasons with the Seattle Seahawks, led the Lions last year with 99 receptions and currently leads the team with 86. He hasn't been as explosive this season, though. After racking up 1,331 yards in 2014 (13.4 yards per catch), he has just 779 yards heading into Week 17 (9.1).

With Calvin Johnson's future in question at the age of 30, Tate may become quarterback Matthew Stafford's favorite target moving forward.