The three starters in the Detroit Lions' wide receiver corps are decided. Between Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, and Isaac TeSlaa, the Lions have one of the best WR rooms in the NFL. Regarding the rest of the rotation, however, there is plenty of uncertainty.
The Lions will have at least four wide receivers in the final 53-man roster. Head coach Dan Campbell had six WRs last season and will likely keep his options open depending on how the rest of the offseason goes.
After rookie Kendrick Law's devastating injury, there is one less player competing for a roster spot, but there will still be a training camp battle for the WR4 and WR5 spots.
Right now, the options are Greg Dortch, Cedrick Wilson Jr., Jackson Meeks, Tom Kennedy, Dominic Lovett, Malik Cunningham, and Kyre Duplessis. At least one and at most three of these players will be included in the 53-man roster.
What should we expect from the training camp competition? Who has the inside track to be included in the roster?
Predicting the Lions' WR rotation
As things stand now, Dortch has to be considered the favorite to be a part of the rotation among this group. Not only is he a capable, experienced veteran, but he also worked with offensive coordinator Drew Petzing for three seasons in Arizona. Dortch was also signed to be a Kalif Raymond replacement and is expected to have a role in the return game.
For the fifth receiver spot, Lovett, Meeks, and Wilson could all have strong arguments. Both Lovett and Meeks project to be more slot receivers, while Wilson has spent time both inside and outside over the years. Wilson has a ton of experience, but the Lions may choose to go for upside for their WR5 spot.
In that scenario, it may be between Lovett and Meeks. Lovett made the roster over Meeks last season, but he was mostly used on special teams as a rookie and only took 14 offensive snaps. He is undersized and doesn't have elite burst, but he is a good route-runner who can provide a different element to Detroit's offense.
Meeks spent most of last season on the practice squad, not getting a proper chance despite impressing in the preseason.
Considering Lovett was ahead of Meeks in the depth chart last season, we have to assume that this will continue unless the training camp and preseason change things.
Kennedy, on the other hand, will surely be back on the practice squad, but there is very little reason for the Lions to have him on the 53-man roster. Duplessis and Cunningham will have to drop some jaw-dropping performances this summer to have a shot.
Prediction: Greg Dortch and Dominic Lovett make the roster as WR4 and WR5.
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