Detroit Lions Wide Receiver Battle Still Wide Open

The Detroit Lions have been making sweeping changes to the depth chart at wide receiver this offseason and the competition for roster spots is ramping up.

After the departure of Calvin Johnson, there was no doubt that the Detroit Lions would need to upgrade the wide receiver position going into the 2016 season. As offseason activities begin to ramp up, the team is still looking to fill the massive shoes left by Johnson.

The NFL Network reported on Monday that the team brought in Anquan Boldin for a visit. The 35-year-old three-time Pro Bowler reportedly welcomes the opportunity to play for head coach Jim Caldwell, who was the offensive coordinator of the Baltimore Ravens when Boldin was there in 2012. The biggest question mark right now at wide receiver for the Lions is whether or not Boldin signs. If he does, he would almost be guaranteed a roster spot, which would bump everyone else in a crowded wide receiver battle closer to the bubble.

Also on Monday, the Lions signed former Washington wide receiver Andre Roberts to a one-year deal. Roberts signed a four-year contract with Washington worth about $16 million in 2014 after four productive seasons with the Arizona Cardinals. He had two very modest seasons in Washington, with 47 receptions for 588 yards and two touchdowns. He ended 2015 on injured reserve and was released by Washington after the season. He has spent most of his career as a slot receiver and also has experience as a kick returner, including a 99-yard touchdown return last season.

The team rounded out their busy Monday by waiving another receiver, Austin Willis, and placing yet another receiver, Corey Washington, on waivers with an injury designation.

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These are not the first moves the Lions have made to change the depth chart at receiver this offseason. The team moved quickly to sign former Cincinnati Bengal Marvin Jones the day after Johnson announced his retirement. Jones is expected to start across from Golden Tate, who led the Lions in receptions last year.

The Lions continued to add players to the roster after signing Jones, re-signing Corey Fuller on March 10 and signing former New York Jet Jeremy Kerley on the 21st. After the team did not take any receivers in the draft in April, they signed veteran Andre Caldwell on May 5th, undrafted free agents Jace Billingsley, Quinshad Davis and Jay Lee on the 6th and former Jacksonville Jaguar reserve Damian Copeland on June 7th.

These signings add to a small group of receivers returning from last year who now face serious competition for their jobs: T.J. Jones, Fuller and practice squad member Ryan Spadola.

General manager Bob Quinn has said that the Lions plan on keeping five or six receivers, and beyond Tate and Marvin Jones, nothing appears to be set in stone. The battle for those spots is currently shaping up as a race between two returnees trying to prove themselves (Fuller and T.J. Jones), three veterans brought in to challenge them (Roberts, Kerley and Caldwell) and a few UDFAs and young players trying to crash the party.

The Lions signed Corey Fuller to a non-guaranteed exclusive rights tender, so they will not be penalized for cutting him if they do. Given that no one knows when Fuller will return from his recent foot surgery and his production last season was unimpressive, he seems to be the most likely returnee to be cut. He could still make the team if he can recover quickly and has a great camp or the Lions might opt to place the former sixth-round pick on injured reserve and keep him until next season, especially if his recovery progresses slowly.

T.J. Jones sat out his entire rookie season with a nerve injury that continued to bother him last season, although he said in May that he’s “finally” ready. So far this offseason the 2014 sixth-round draft pick has apparently impressed in OTAs and has earned praise from both quarterback Matthew Stafford and head coach Jim Caldwell. He showed flashes last season, catching ten passes for 132 yards and his first NFL touchdown, and is expected to compete for the number three or four receiver position this year. He also had some moderate success as a kick and punt returner last season, so expect him to compete for that job as well.

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The Lions invested $1.15 million in a one-year deal for Jeremy Kerley in March, and Quinn specifically mentioned him when talking about replacing Johnson’s production back in May, so they seem fairly invested in him. Kerley was a slot receiver for the Jets, who drafted him in 2011, and led the team in receptions in 2012 and 2013, but his production took a serious nosedive in 2015, a dip which he blames on the Jets’ coaches and scheme. Kerley did lead the AFC in punt return yardage a year ago, an area the Lions could use an upgrade in.

31-year old Andre Caldwell also signed a one-year deal after spending the last four seasons with the Denver Broncos, where he earned a Super Bowl ring last season. His production was limited in Denver, as he only snagged 32 passes for 337 yards and five touchdowns in 54 regular season games, although a deep Broncos receiving corps might have limited his opportunities. He is a competent, versatile receiver who may also factor in the kick returner battle.

Three undrafted free agents are also expected to compete for the fifth and/or sixth wide receiver spots. Jay Lee out of Baylor was a favorite as soon as he signed, although North Carolina’s Quinshad Davis should also compete. Jace Billingsley out of Eastern Oregon probably faces the most uphill battle out of the three UDFAs although he is also involved in the kick returner battle, and Ryan Spadola and Damian Copeland currently round out the bottom of the depth chart.

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Of course, all of this can change very quickly, especially if Boldin signs. The Lions are definitely still looking for answers at the position, though, and they might not have their answers until the end of the preseason.

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