3 receivers the Detroit Lions need to target in round 3

The Detroit Lions should target Skyy Moore at the top of round three.

Skyy Moore is a very intriguing prospect, and I wouldn’t be surprised after having a very impressive showing at the NFL Combine to see the Western Michigan product rocket up NFL Draft boards.

In such a deep class, I still expect Moore to be available when the Detroit Lions are on the board with the no. 66th overall pick, but likely won’t be available much longer.  If the Lions hope to see Moore available when they pick at no. 97 they’d be playing with fire.

Moore had an excellent combine running a 4.41 40-yard dash, and the 5-foot-10 receiver showcased a solid 125 broad jump, 34.5 vertical, and 4.32 cone drill.

Although Moore delivered three good seasons in Kalamazoo, he burst onto the scene in 2021.  The Bronco pass-catcher hauled in 95 balls in 12 games totaling 1,292 yards and ten touchdowns.  Ironically, although those numbers are great, it translated to 13.6 yards per reception, which is the lowest of his three-year college career.

As a freshman, Moore earned himself a starting role and made 51 catches totaling 802 yards to go with three scores.  His 15.7 yards per catch as a freshman would be the best of his career.  Moore followed up that production by averaging 15.5 yards per grab in his second year totaling 388 yards and three scores in five games.

Kyle Crabbs of The Draft Network compares Moore to Sterling Shepard of the New York Giants.

"I saw a lot of Sterling Shepard of the New York Giants in his game—from his quickness to his release package to his stature and how he wins after the catch. Moore appears to be yet another strong option on day two of the 2022 NFL Draft, which is loaded with quality wide receiver prospects. In order to get the best of Moore’s game, I would like to see him step into a spread offense where he can attack defenses from the slot and use his agility and sharp breaks to snap off separation."

The only knock with this selection is the fact the Detroit Lions lack a big-bodied outside receiving threat.  Moore is best suited working from the slot, and that position is currently occupied by Amon-Ra St. Brown.  Of course, the Lions’ selection of Moore could quite possibly be the second rookie selection of the Lions, which only strengthens the depth at the position leaving Moore to earn his looks behind a potential free-agent addition, St. Brown, Quintez Cephus, and whomever the organization picks (if it’s a receiver) in the first or second round.

In this exercise, I’ve got the Lions selecting Geroge Pickens, who fits the mold of a big-bodied outside threat.  If the organization elects not to sign an outside receiver in free agency, they’d be starting Pickens and Cephus outside with St. Brown in the slot.  That leaves an opening for Moore to ease himself into the lineup out of the slot on four-receiver sets.

Ideally, the Lions add a proven free agent such as DJ Chark or Robinson, allowing Pickens (or someone similar) to work as the third option, opposite the veteran pass-catcher with St. Brown, Cephus, and Moore excelling out of the slot.