Ex-Lions WR who missed last year for gambling suspension signing with Bills

ALLEN PARK — Quintez Cephus, the former fifth-round wide receiver pick of the Detroit Lions, has signed with the Buffalo Bills after being reinstated following his year-long gambling suspension, per his agency.

Cephus was suspended and quickly released by the Lions a little more than a year ago, ending his three-season run with the team. The Bills have been in the receiver market since trading Stefon Diggs and losing Gabe Davis in free agency to the Jacksonville Jaguars.

The Bills the first pick of the second round (Pick 33) on Keon Coleman, the Florida State star wideout and former Michigan State standout on Friday, as well. And Cephus fits the bill of another outside, vertical wide receiver with impressive hops and contested-catch chops.

Related: 2 ex-Lions players reinstated to NFL after serving gambling suspensions

Related: Detroit Lions projected depth chart: Where do the rookies fit in?

Cephus had 37 catches for 568 yards and four touchdowns in 22 games and six starts in Detroit. He was part of the last draft class of Bob Quinn and Matt Patricia’s regime in 2020. He was with the Dan Campbell-Brad Holmes-led Lions for two years, but injuries and improvements at the position around these parts led to a quiet finish on the field before his loud off-field exit.

The Lions had a perceived need for more depth in the 2024 NFL draft after losing Josh Reynolds to the Denver Broncos in free agency. But they kicked that ball down the road, drafting two cornerbacks, two offensive linemen, a versatile safety/running back/special teamer and a defensive lineman with inside-outside versatility.

Heading into the next phase of the offseason, the Lions have Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, Kalif Raymond, Antoine Green, Donovan Peoples-Jones, Tom Kennedy, Tre’Quan Smith, Daurice Fountain and Maurice Alexander at wide receiver.

Round 1, Pick 24: Alabama CB Terrion Arnold

Round 2, Pick 61: Missouri CB Ennis Rakestraw Jr.

Round 4, Pick 126: University of British Columbia OT Giovanni Manu

Round 4, Pick 132: Utah S/RB Sione Vaki

Round 6, Pick 189: LSU DT Mekhi Wingo

Round 6, Pick 210: Boston College OG Christian Mahogany