Detroit Lions: 30 Best Draft Picks in Team History
By Eli Kaplan
19. Johnnie Morton (wide receiver) – The Lions haven’t had many standout receivers through the years, but they’ve had plenty of standout receivers, and Johnnie Morton is certainly one of them. Not to mention, any receiver who can help make Scott Mitchell look like an all-pro, deserves a place on this list.
The Lions selected Morton with the 21st overall pick in the 1994 NFL draft. He spent the majority of his career playing in a Lions uniform (from 1994-2001), before spending his last few seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers.
Morton gained 6,499 of his 8,719 career receiving yards, as a member of the Lions, as well as 469 of his 624 career receptions, and 35 of his 43 career receiving touchdowns.
Morton was an integral part of Detroit’s three-headed receiving monster, along with Herman Moore and Brett Perriman. The mere presence of Moore and Perriman (and of course Barry Sanders running), helped create favorable receiving matchups for Morton. But Morton did plenty on his own as well.
Even after Perriman’s departure (1996) and Sanders’ retirement, Morton had his very best statistical season in 1999 – his career high 80 catches, to go along with 1,129 yards receiving helped the Lions make the playoffs.
Next: Number 18