Detroit Lions: Who Is The Best Fit At Slot Receiver?

Ryan Broyles

• 5′ 10″, 188 lbs
• Drafted 2012: 2nd Rnd, 54th by DET
• Experience – 3 years
• College – Oklahoma

The Detroit Lions’ second-round pick in 2012 has yet to play a single down in this league at 100 percent health.

He entered the league rehabbing a torn ACL in his left knee suffered against Texas A&M late in his senior season at Oklahoma.

The 10th game into his rookie season Broyles tore the ACL in his right knee vs. Indianapolis.

Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

It went from bad to worse for the NCAA’s all-time reception leader this past season, when he ruptured the Achilles tendon in his left leg during the second month of the regular season in a win over Dallas. Broyles was fielding a punt and the Achilles ruptured on him as he tried to get away from the ball deep in Lions territory.

However, Broyles is going to get every opportunity in training camp to compete for that third, fourth or fifth roster spot at receiver this season. Before he can focus on the competition aspect of his job though, he and the rest of the receivers have to learn a much more complicated offense than the one the Lions ran previously.

Broyles said the route tree every receiver is expected to know is much greater under Lombardi, and though there’s about the same number of plays and same number of formations in the offense, the number of routes available in every formation is much greater.

Broyles is coming off his third major leg injury in as many years, he says he’s feeling great and is participating in OTAs, but plans to be “smart” with his recovery.

All he’s asking for is an opportunity to compete come training camp and the new coaches are going to give the former second-round pick that chance.