The Detroit Lions and general manager Brad Holmes have built one of the most exciting young rosters in the NFL.
Ahead of the upcoming 2024 season, there is legitimate Super Bowl buzz in the Motor City, coming on the heels of last year’s mad dash to the NFC Championship Game — arguably the Lions arriving ahead of schedule, and thanks to the cor players Holmes and has added during the past three NFL Drafts.
However, even after signing quarterback Jared Goff to a mammoth contract extension that pays him $53 million per season, the Lions still may have a glaring hole to fill.
Detroit Lions Pushed to Add Another Wide Receiver
Despite Amon-Ra St. Brown emerging as one of the league’s most explosive playmakers, ESPN’s Aaron Schatz says wide receiver remains one of the Lions’ few remaining pressing needs.
“Amon-Ra St. Brown is a star and was worthy of his recent huge contract extension,” Schatz writes for ESPN. “But the Lions are depending on a lot of hope after St. Brown. Jameson Williams had a negative DVOA last season with just 24 catches, and team hopes he can finally develop his potential as a starting outside receiver. Kalif Raymond had a 37.4% DVOA last year on 44 targets but was an average starting receiver with more usage in 2021 and 2022. Donovan Peoples-Jones had surprisingly good advanced metrics in Cleveland but didn’t stand out last season for Detroit.
“Beyond those three receivers are street free agents, 2023 seventh-round pick Antoine Green and Tom Kennedy, a player who has been on and off the Lions’ practice squad for years. This would be an excellent landing spot for a remaining veteran free agent receiver like Michael Thomas.”
As Schatz suggests, Thomas, Hunter Renfrow, or even Mecole Hardman could all fill the void as reliable possession receivers alongside field-stretchers like St. Brown and Jameson Williams.
