Detroit Lions: Breshad Perriman fails to seize the opportunity or roster spot

The Detroit Lions had glaring needs across their roster this past winter, but none more than at the receiver position.

After cutting ties with nearly every pass-catcher on the roster from a year ago aside from Quintez Cephus, the organization opted to sign a pair of veteran, cheap, stopgap receivers ahead of the 2021 season.

Both Tyrell Williams and Breshad Perriman seemed destined to be Jared Goff’s top two receivers, and both have ties to Detroit’s coaching staff.  Williams enjoyed lots of success as a 24-year old in 2016, with the Chargers hauling in 69 balls totaling 1,059 yards and seven touchdowns, all of which continue to be career-highs.

Williams saw success playing as a large-bodied downfield red zone threat in Anthony Lynn’s offense and complimented star pass-catcher Keenan Allen quite well.

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Perriman, similar to Williams, has a respectable NFL resume, but as a third or fourth option rather than a WR2.  Perriman played under Lions receiver coach Antwaan Randle El during his time with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2019.  During that season, Perriman enjoyed a career year making 36 receptions totaling 645 yards and six touchdowns.

Detroit Lions veteran receiver Breshad Perriman is on the bubble.

The Detroit Lions signed Perriman to a one-year deal that totals $2.5 million, but the contract carries a dead cap of $2 million, but his roster spot is in serious jeopardy.

Overall it is not that big of a pill to swallow if Detroit opts to cut Perriman before Tuesday’s 53-man roster deadline. Still, that dead cap number certainly will play a role if Lions GM Brad Holmes and head coach Dan Campbell have Perriman tied with Tom Kennedy and maybe Geronimo Allison for a final roster spot.

As of Saturday morning, I expect the Detroit Lions to keep Williams, St. Brown, Cephus, and return specialist Kalif Raymond.  That leaves likely just one more roster spot for a receiver, especially if the organization carries three quarterbacks, which I suspect they will.  Right now, Kennedy is more deserving than Perriman in my eyes.

At the time of the signing, Perriman seemed like a sure bet to be the starter opposite Williams but after being hampered by a hip injury this summer, plus suffering a bad case of the ‘drops’ along with an awful offensive pass interference penalty in the teams’ second preseason game has him on the ropes.

Perriman is really Detroit’s lone ‘burner’ or true deep threat, but the Detroit Lions may choose to fill this role by signing someone who gets cut over the weekend.  It’s the old saying, someone’s trash is another’s fortune.