4 pending free agent receivers the Detroit Lions need to consider signing
By Bob Heyrman
It’s no secret that the Detroit Lions will again be in the market to sign a couple of free agent pass-catchers before the start of next season.
Let’s face it, general manager Brad Holmes has swung and missed at the position throughout his first year at the helm. This past offseason, Holmes brought in Tyrell Williams to be the teams’ top outside threat, but Williams suffered a concussion in Week One of the season and never returned. The two sides eventually agreed on an injury settlement and parted ways.
Holmes also signed veteran Breshad Perriman as Detroit’s number two receiver, but he failed to make the team as the Lions trimmed their roster to 53 to begin the regular season.
The Detroit Lions did find a diamond in the rough in Kaliff Raymond, but he’d be primarily a kick returner and fifth option in the passing game on a good team. I have hope that rookie Amon-Ra St. Brown turns into a reliable slot option for the Lions in the years to come, but he will undoubtedly need some help.
Holmes also traded with the Denver Broncos for Trinity Benson but his photo has been on a milk carton since the beginning of the season.
The Detroit Lions will be in the market this offseason to sign a couple of free-agent wide receivers.
Detroit claimed Josh Reynolds off waivers from Tennessee a couple of weeks ago to reunite with Jared Goff. Reynolds and Raymond are pending free agents, and I wouldn’t be opposed to bringing back both on one-year deals.
Although a few big-time pass-catchers are expected to hit the open market, I don’t see the Lions as big players for the services of Davante Adams, Allen Robinson, Chris Godwin, Odell Beckham Jr, or even Antonio Brown.
I expect Holmes to add a couple of mid-level receivers in free agency, and here are four that fit the bill.