3 WRs the Detroit Lions need to consider drafting in the first round
By Bob Heyrman
This should come as a surprise to no one; the Detroit Lions need to improve their receiving corps next season.
The first route would be to sign a free agent or two. Last week I provided you with a few reasonably priced options, including Michael Gallup and DJ Chark. The rest can be viewed here.
Even if Detroit Lions general manager Brad Holmes lands a pending free agent receiver or two, the organization will still be in the market to draft a future number one option at the position with one of their three top 35 picks in the 2022 NFL Draft.
As it stands now, the Detroit Lions will be picking first overall in ’22, plus have a late first-round selection in which they inherited from the Los Angeles Rams in the Matthew Stafford deal plus the 33rd overall pick (first in second-round).
Brad Holmes must hit on each of these first three draft selections. The Detroit Lions will have an opportunity to speed up their roster overhaul if they can secure a trio of high-end starters to begin the draft.
The Detroit Lions will be in the market to draft a franchise-altering pass-rusher with the first overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.
The Detroit Lions are in the market to draft a receiver in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft.
As it stands, tight end T.J. Hockenson leads the Detroit Lions in receiving in 2021 with 583 yards on 61 receptions; he’s also scored four touchdowns. Rookie fourth-round pick Amon-Ra St. Brown is second with 438 yards and one touchdown while hauling in 49 balls. D’Andre Swift is second on the team with 56 catches totaling 429 receiving yards and a pair of scores.
Knowing that those three weapons will be returning next season for the Detroit Lions is undoubtedly a positive; plus, before suffering a season-ending injury, second-year receiver Quintez Cephus looked good in five contests making 15 catches totaling 204 yards and two touchdowns. I also wouldn’t rule out bringing Josh Reynolds or Kalif Raymond back to round out the bottom of the depth chart.
Adding one of the two pending fee agents mentioned earlier to this group plus a highly-skilled rookie could make all the difference for quarterback Jared Goff.
That second first-round pick the Detroit Lions will possess is expected to be somewhere between 23rd and 28th overall. Here are three receivers to consider drafting with that choice.
Note: I expect Garrett Wilson, Jameson Williams, Chris Olave, and Treylon Burkes to be selected before Detroit is again on the clock.