Detroit Lions: 5 prospects that need to be targeted on Draft Day
By Bob Heyrman
The Detroit Lions should have D’Wayne Eskridge circled on their draft board.
It’s no secret that the Detroit Lions will be overhauling their receiver room with virtually everyone becoming a free agent at once, leaving second-year pass-catcher Quintez Cephus somewhat lonely.
Veteran pass-catchers Marvin Jones, Danny Amendola, and Mohamed Sanu are all expected to move on in free agency. The Detroit Lions will need to make decisions on return specialist, and defensive back turned receiver Jamal Agnew plus a greater decision on their top weapon at the position, Kenny Golladay.
We should know in the coming days if the Detroit Lions are willing to let Golladay walk in free agency or if they opt to use the franchise tag on their talented WR1. If the Lions choose to tag Golladay, do not rule out a trade.
Golladay is far too talented to lose in free agency without garnering any return. A tag and trade may come into play. It’s difficult to pay a wide receiver $18 million per season during a rebuild, especially when the organization is paying Matthew Stafford and Jared Goff roughly a combined $50 million this season.
Knowing that the Detroit Lions require a complete receiving overhaul, local product D’Wayne Eskridge is someone that needs to be considered.
Eskridge played his college ball right in our backyard, spending five years with the Western Michigan Broncos. Eskridge is just 5-foot-9 but an absolute blazer. Think of Tyreek Hill. Yes, that fast. If Eskridge wants to succeed at the NFL level, he will need some polish as a route runner. He won’t be able to just blow past NFL corners in a straight line. He will need to watch some film of Hill and create some of his own wiggle and sudden change of direction before seeing much success. There is so much talent here, and I think the soon-to-be 24-year old’s game can translate at the next level.
Eskridge can play as an outside receiver due to his elite speed. Over the past three seasons, the speedster averaged over 20 yards per reception. In six games last year, Eskridge made 33 catches totaling 768 yards and eight touchdowns.
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After a stellar senior bowl, Eskridge’s stock will be on the rise. I would not be surprised if Eskridge is selected in the second round, but I hold out hope that the Detroit Lions will have an opportunity to select him with the 72nd overall pick, the first of two third-round selections.