3 receivers the Detroit Lions need to target in round 3
By Bob Heyrman
It’s no secret that the Detroit Lions will be in the market to draft a wide receiver or two or even three in the 2022 NFL Draft. It’s certainly a position that needs and will be overhauled this offseason.
If the Detroit Lions do not jostle draft positions, they will sit with the no. 2 overall choice along with picks no. 32 and no. 34.
As it stands, I expect general manager Brad Holmes to secure a pass-rusher at no. 2, whether it’s Aidan Hutchinson or Kayvon Thibodeaux. But, I also wouldn’t completely rule out safety Kyle Hamilton. If Detroit opts for Hamilton, it likely suggests that Charles Harris had been re-signed, or they’ve elected to keep Trey Flowers around for another season after announcing they’d be shifting to more four-man defensive fronts next season.
Then, barring any movement, I expect the Lions to consider drafting a safety, corner, or receiver depending on who they’ve selected with their first pick and who is on the draft board. If a player such as Treylon Burks happens to be available at no. 32 Holmes needs to sprint to the podium to turn in the selection.
A more realistic crop of players the Detroit Lions will be looking to draft with no. 32 and 34 are George Pickens, David Bell, Sam Howell, Lewis Cine, Matt Corral, Daxton Hill, Roger McCreary, Kyler Gordon, Chad Muma, and Christian Harris. It is noteworthy that first-round selections have fifth-year team options attached to their rookie deal.
Although I am not supportive of taking a flier on quarterback late in the first round when there are so many other needs and starters elsewhere to be drafted, that fifth-round option is very attractive when it comes to that particular position if you’ve hit a home run with the pick.
So let’s play the hypothetical game. Let’s plugin Hutchinson, Pickens, and Cine as the first three selections.
The Detroit Lions are slated to pick twice in the third round, and I will provide three solid receiving options if they elect to bolster the position in round three.
If the Lions take a similar path as I’ve described above, I would guess they’d be in the market for a linebacker and receiver or corner in round three.