The Detroit Lions finished with the third-highest scoring offense in the NFL (28.3 PPG) and averaged the third-most passing yards per game (254.2 YPG) last season, even if it did not translate to a postseason appearance. While offensive tackle and edge rusher are two areas of need heading into the 2026 NFL Draft, which begins on Thursday, some additional competition at wide receiver would not hurt, either.
Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, and Isaac TeSlaa combined for 24 receiving touchdowns last season, but aside from those three, there was not much competition at the position. That is why the recent developments surrounding TCU wideout Eric McAlister are worth monitoring.
According to NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport, McAlister, who is slated to be a Day 3 selection, "suffered a broken foot while doing position drills at his Pro Day, sources say. The Jones fracture may cause him to slip a bit, though he should be ready with plenty of time for the season."
McAlister is listed at No. 262 on the NFL Mock Draft Database's consensus board, but even if he falls out of the draft, he could be an intriguing Undrafted Free Agent (UDFA) to add for camp. After all, he had the seventh-most receiving yards in college football last season (1,190) and 10 TDs, making him a steal for any team that picks him up.
Eric McAlister's Draft Slide Could Benefit Lions
How he recovers from the injury remains to be seen, but when you consider that McAlister averaged 18.2 yards per reception in his collegiate career and combined for 24 total TDs, that type of production would certainly be welcomed by the Lions as they look to establish as much depth at the position as possible.
Sure, St. Brown (1,401 yards) and Williams (1,117 yards) spearheaded the Lions' receiving attack in 2025 and could be poised to do so once again. TeSlaa was not involved in the offense as often as he or Lions fans would have liked, but he could go from zero to hero in 2026 after averaging the second-most yards per catch (14.9) on the team last season.
Aside from those three, Detroit's depth will really be tested.
Tight end Sam LaPorta had the fourth-most receiving yards on the team last season (489) and three TDs, but he is coming off a shortened season and underwent back surgery. While he could benefit from new offensive coordinator Drew Petzing's scheme after the former Arizona Cardinals OC helped Trey McBride flourish as one of the best pass-catching TEs in the league, it is not out of the question that LaPorta could be used as trade bait if the Lions want to move up in the draft order.
Additionally, WR Kalif Raymond signed a one-year deal with the Chicago Bears, and running back David Montgomery found a new home with the Houston Texans on a two-year deal. While Montgomery's role was primarily split in the backfield with Jahmyr Gibbs, he and Raymond were key pieces in the WR room as well.
The Lions currently have Greg Dortch, Dominic Lovett, Jackson Meeks, Malik Cunningham, and Tom Kennedy as second and third-stringers on the WR depth chart. Other than Dortch, who has 10 career receiving TDs, no one else from that group has a single receiving TD in the league, and is mostly unproven.
McAlister may not be on every team's radar after his injury and subsequent fall in the draft order. However, his overall body of work suggests he would be a steal for whoever takes a chance on him, either in the draft or afterward.
With some depth concerns at WR, the Lions could be an ideal fit for him as he gets back up to speed and looks to build off a solid collegiate career.
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