Detroit Lions Offseason Prediction: Wide Receivers

As we near free agency and the NFL Draft, Detroit Lions general manager Bob Quinn will be looking for ways to add playmakers to the wide receivers group.

There was a huge hole vacated in the Detroit Lions wide receivers group after the retirement of Calvin Johnson. Bob Quinn tried to fill the gap by adding Marvin Jones, Anquan Boldin and Andre Roberts. On top of the new additions, the plan was to spread the ball around more to skill players at other positions, in an effort to make the offense more diversified.

When the Lions only kept four receivers on the active roster to start the season, the three new additions and Golden Tate, it appeared like they had their house in order. Key injuries hit the other skill positions and the offense quickly became less diversified and more predictable.

To make matters worse, the defense struggled early and the offense was forced to change the overall strategy after only a few games. For the most part, the tempo offense that kept defenses on their heals was put aside and a ball control style offense was established to limit possessions and aid the defense.

For the most part, it worked as the Lions were able to impact a disastrous start to the season and started putting themselves in positions for Matthew Stafford to create magic. The problem was, it was an unsustainable system. As soon as they ran into playoff caliber teams their weaknesses were exposed and they started losing again.

Diversity was the plan to replace Calvin and it’s a good concept, but the 2016 Lions weren’t deep enough to overcome obstacles. Now a season has passed, the roster is more established, and there is an opportunity for Bob Quinn to add impact playmakers to the offense.