ALAMEDA — Luke Willson, a six-year veteran tight end who spent last season with the Detroit Lions, signed with Raiders Friday.
Willson, 29, played in 14 games with eight starts for Detroit last season, catching 13 passes for 87 yards and no touchdowns. Originally a fifth-round draft pick by Seattle out of Rice, Willson has 102 career receptions for 1,216 yards and 11 touchdowns.
The Raiders are looking for a tight end or tight ends to compensate for the loss of Jared Cook to the New Orleans Saints in free agency.
Cook had career highs last season of 68 receptions for 896 yards and six touchdowns, but the Raiders opted to pursue wide receivers Antonio Brown and Tyrell Williams with their free agent dollars rather than bring back Cook at age 32.